To perfection
After missing Champions Trophy semifinal due to spasm, pacer returned to blow away India top order when it mattered most
runs with two fours in three matches against Amir.
“If we could get amongst the Indian top order early we could probably expose the middle order that hadn’t batted a fair amount, and Amir was the guy that could do that for us,” said Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur.
“In the first two games, he (Amir) didn’t get a wicket but he had bowled particularly well. We were always thinking it was one spell in somewhere, and the spell came thankfully today at the start of a final. We put India on the back foot and certainly gave us upper hand,” added Arthur.
A PLAN FOR KOHLI
Amir had clearly worked out Kohli. The biggest of batsmen are always vulnerable to any ball that is back of length, pacy and moves off the seam.
Amir delivered two such deliveries in succession. The first ball flew off Kohli’s edge but Azhar Ali dropped a sitter at first slip. Kohli played a false stroke the next ball, cross seaming and moving. The flick went to point and Pakistan players went delirious with joy.
Amir bowled all of six overs on Sunday and all in one single spell. His 6-2-16-3 had done enough damage. Pakistan needed three killer deliveries and Amir produced the magic that only he can. India never recovered from 33 for three. Pandya’s glorious innings was only like a shooting star.
TOUGH PERSONALITY
Amir’s wickets reflected his personality. He has conquered personal setbacks after being banned from cricket for five years due to matchfixing. So, emerging triumphant on a big day is probably child’s play. He reserved his best for the last and India happened to be at the receiving end.
“Mohammad Amir is a big-match player. I do know that when the game is on the line and the bigger the game, the more he performs, the more amped up he gets,” said Arthur.
“He doesn’t shy away from pressure situations. He doesn’t shy away from big games. He’s got proper big-match temperament, and he showed that today on the biggest stage,” the Pakistan coach said.
Virat Kohli will not contest that statement.