LAHORE: Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has said that the two deliveries that he bowled against Indian captain Virat Kohli changed his image in United Kingdom (UK). He was talking to ESPN cricinfo in Lahore.
“Those two deliveries, the first one on which Azhar [bhai] dropped Kohli’s catch and the next ball where I claimed his wicket changed my image in UK,” Amir said. “When I was walking back to my bowling mark after the dropped catch, I was thinking that we have lost half of the final now.”
Amir had been banned for five years after he was found guilty in spot-fixing in a test against England in England. Amir and Pakistan team alike had to face a lot of flak during their stay in England.
Amir also opened up about his comeback to Pakistan cricket team after serving a five years ban. He said that since making he gave mixed performances. “I personally feel that it is a great achievement for me to play all three formats and league cricket after a five-year lay-off,” he said. “There were dropped catches, at times I didn’t bowl well, but overall I am satisfied with my performance in the past 2 years.”
Amir further said that he hasn’t lost his swing it is just that the pitches don’t assist bowlers the way they used to. “I can’t have those long hair back [laugh], at that time Amir didn’t even have a beard, now he does,” he said on the question of whether he plans to get his long hair back.
Amir said that his body did take a toll in the last few years as international cricket takes a lot out of you specially when you are a fast bowler who plays all three formats. “I am available for all three formats for now, and haven’t taken any decisions about prioritizing a certain format to extend my career,” he said.
He further said that since there is a rotation policy in place, it is easier to get rotated. “The rotation policy also helps a team strengthen the bench, which is very important going forward,” he said.
