KARACHI: Former Pakistan left-arm pacemaker Mohammad Amir credited former captain and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mickey Arthur, respectively, for his winning spell in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against arch-rivals India.
Amir, while speaking on the ARY News program Bouncer (Special Champions Trophy), recalled his match-defining spell against defending champions India as he dismantled the strong Indian top order made up of then top-ranked batsman Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shikar Dhawan.
“Look, people always praise my spell against India in the Champions Trophy, but I think the credit for such a performance goes to each and every player, who made their contribution in the process like Hasan, who was the best player in tournament bowlers, Junaid Khan, and Rumman Raees, who did well in the semi-final against England,” Amir said.
“The credit for my performance goes to Safi Bhai [Sarfaraz Ahmed] and Mickey Arthur as they showed confidence in my abilities and supported me despite coming back from injury. Rumman had also done brilliantly in the semis, so they had a good reason to bring the same Playing XI and drop me, but they didn’t and luckily I didn’t let them down,” he maintained.
The pacemaker in the left arm also recalled the incidence of former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali’s catch of then-higher-ranked batsman Kohli, stating that his assault was brief and beneficial to the team that came out on the next ball.
“When Virat’s catch was dropped, he was certainly furious and I think it was natural as a bowler when you see a catch is dropped on your pitch and the pitcher gets aggressive for a couple of seconds, but I think it’s a part of the game and anyone can catch it,” Amir said.
“Ajju Bhai [Azhar Ali] he is very respectable to me because he is a very nice human being. We share a bond of mutual respect. I think we didn’t need to think about that as he was gone on the next ball and Shadab made an outstanding catch and then Azhar Bhai loved me,” he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that Amir produced an incredible bowling performance in the 2017 Champions Trophy Final against India when he came back with a 3-16 bowling spell.
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