(The Indian Express)
Among left-arm fast bowlers, no one has a superior economy rate and average against India than the Pakistani pacer.
While Pakistan’s defeat against the United States offers few silver linings, if forced to identify a positive ahead of Sunday’s match against India, Mohammad Amir’s 19th over could provide valuable insights. One might argue that within the context of the match, which ultimately went into a Super Over, the circumstances leading up to Amir’s over shouldn’t hold significant weight.
However, it holds significance regardless of how the highlights portray the left-arm fast bowler. This is partly because limiting the opposition to just six runs when they required a very achievable 21 off 12 balls is commendable, regardless of the outcome. It’s even more impressive when achieved on a pitch known for its unpredictability.
The conditions at the makeshift stadium in New York’s Nassau County shouldn’t differ much, providing fast bowlers with a significant advantage compared to recent ICC events. This scenario is likely to intrigue Jasprit Bumrah, as well as Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Amir. Among them, Amir’s interest might be the most pronounced, and rightfully so. Shah showcases remarkable pace but still lacks the finesse to discern optimal lengths early on. Rauf can sometimes become overly excited by movement off the pitch, while Afridi occasionally struggles to maintain consistency with his lengths after initial bursts of seam.
Amir exemplifies all these qualities, showcasing an array of variations that were prominently displayed during that crucial 19th over against the USA. He started with a slower ball, pitched slightly fuller and angled across the right-handed Aaron Jones, tempting him to go after it as its pace decreased. Following that was a dipping yorker, incredibly difficult to defend against; even if successfully played, clearing short midwicket would be a challenge at best. The subsequent delivery was another angled yorker, aimed at the middle stump, forcing the batter to play it back to Amir. Deliveries like these, whether full on the stumps or skidding across them, are invaluable in high-pressure situations like these, and Amir seemed to conjure them effortlessly.
That over showcased both the strengths and limitations of Amir, offering a remarkable display of his capabilities and adaptability within the confines of defending a low total. By strategically placing fielders at third man, point, deep cover, and short midwicket, Amir effectively restricted both singles and boundaries. However, bowling to such a field requires a unique skill set, a challenge that only Amir could have successfully navigated in that situation.
He was also following a broader directive. “The plan was simple. We were just trying to bowl yorkers,” Pakistan captain Babar Azam had said after that match. “We did not change the plan because the ball was reversing and our bowlers were very accurate with the yorkers. So, our plan was simple, not doing anything different, just go and use the yorkers.”
When Amir takes the reins, achieving success seems more within reach. Once touted as the heir to Wasim Akram’s legacy, Amir no longer holds the spotlight as Pakistan’s premier fast bowler. Nonetheless, his approach remains captivatingly deliberate, and his rapid-arm action adeptly conceals his lethal yorkers and cunning cutters. While his pace may have diminished, his proficiency has reached new heights, instilling a sense of apprehension in batsmen when facing him, whether at the start of an innings or towards the end.
Amir’s post-ban persona has proven menacing, particularly against India. In T20Is, no left-arm fast bowler boasts a better economy rate (4.14) or average (7.25) against India than Amir. Shaheen Afridi, the next best among Pakistan’s current fast bowlers in this regard, holds an economy rate of 8.54 and an average of 21.66 (both from two games). However, Amir’s fallibility was exposed in the Super Over against the USA when he deviated from his usual precision. India will be hopeful for a repeat of such lapses from Amir come Sunday.
