Md Amir’s ‘perfect 10’ inspires Essex song
Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir is on the rise again. Regarded as the world’s biggest pace bowling talent, the left-arm bowler’s world collapsed around him after he was slapped a five-year ban for spotfixing, and imprisoned for six month for spot-fixing during the 2010 Test tour of England. Allowed back into international cricket, Amir is back doing what he does best, sending batsmen to their doom with his pace, swing and control. Playing for Essex in the English County championship, he produced a career-best haul of 10 for 72 to sweep aside Yorkshire in just two days, sealing an eight-wicket victory at the latter’s backyard during the Scarborough Festival. Essex wrapped up the game on Monday.
Yorkshire were without three England players --- national team skipper Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow and Gary Ballance – but Amir demolished the batting line-up of last year’s runners-up. He captured 5/18 to skittle out Yorkshire for 113 in the first innings and added 5/54 to dismiss them for 150 in the second innings.
Amir’s teammates paid tribute by singing: “He’s Silverwood’s man; He’s better than Riaz; We’ve got Mohammad Amir.” Chris Silverwood is the Essex coach.
Amir, 25, left his teammates thrilled to bits after his bowling made light of the absence of Alastair Cook, also on England duty against South Africa.
And it was no wonder Amir’s Essex teammates paid tribute with a song.
The brilliant show is another big step in gaining acceptance in a country where he alienated fans and players after being found guilty for spot-fixing at the Lord’s Test in 2010.
Amir was cleared to return in September, 2015 and made his Pakistan comeback last year.
But the tide is slowly turning, and the young bowler is winning fans with his brilliant bowling. His Test comeback, after five years, was at Lord’s and Pakistan clinched a 75-run victory with Amir tasting modest success, claiming three wickets.
THE BRILLIANT SHOW IS ANOTHER BIG STEP IN GAINING ACCEPTANCE IN A COUNTRY WHERE HE ALIENATED FANS AND PLAYERS AFTER BEING FOUND GUILTY FOR SPOTFIXING AT THE 2010 LORD’S TEST.
Amir claimed 6 for 44 against West Indies on the Caribbean tour last year. At the 2016 Asia Cup, on an uncharacteristic Sher-e-Bangla pitch in Dhaka, Amir was gifted a green top, but Indian bowlers skittled out Pakistan for 83. Amir still responded brilliantly.
He got Rohit Sharma with the second ball of the innings and Ajinkya Rahane with the fourth. Virat Kohli then guided India to victory. However, Amir grabbed the big chance against India in the ICC Champions Trophy final. Amir made it count after the Pakistan batsmen piled up 338/4, capturing three for 16 to dismantle India’s run chase.
Mohammad Amir made it count. Pakistan batsmen piled up 338/4 and he captured 3/16 in a sensational spell, removing Rohit Sharma (0), Shikhar Dhawan (21) and skipper Virat Kohli (5).