Arthur tells Amir & Co to rip into India

Pakistan India

PAKISTAN’S Mohammad Amir faces an agonising wait to see if he will take part in cricket’s biggest grudge match at the Oval.

The quickie suffered a back spasm ahead of the eight-wicket victory over England in midweek and lost out to Rumman Raees. Left-armer Raees went on to grab two victims in an impressive show. Amir – who returned to the international arena in 2016 after a five-year spot-fixing ban – will now be on tenterhooks until the team is announced.

Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood said: “Amir is fit. But we have not decided about playing him.” And Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur said: “If we can get amongst India with the new ball, we can expose the middle order that hasn’t batted much in this competition, so that’s pretty much our aim and focus.”

Pakistan have not beaten India in an ICC event for eight years – and lost to them in the group game by a crushing 124 runs. Since then a team once labelled ‘Cornered Tigers’ by legend Imran Khan, has rediscovered a belief that was in evidence as they humiliated Eoin Morgan’s men.

India are the form team and demolished Bangladesh in the semi-final at Edgbaston, romping home by nine wickets with just under 10 overs to spare.

The pressure will be on Virat Kohli to deliver the trophy for the favourites – but India’s captain is always under fierce scrutiny.

He said: “It’s always going to be challenging in a final.

“What we are going to try to do is to repeat the similar sort of cricket that we have played so far knowing the strengths and weaknesses they have.”

NEIL MOXLEY