Mohammad Amir was on fire as Pakistan faced India in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017 in England. India had beaten Pakistan in the group stages and looked unbeatable on their way to the finals.
Pakistan had somehow managed to find their mojo and entered the final with one thing on the mind, avenging their loss to India in a grand style, which they did by beating their rivals by 180 runs and winning the Champions Trophy title.
Pakistan had set a 338-run target to India and Mohammad Amir was tasked with getting rid of India’s batting heavy top three in Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli. Amir, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 29, reveals how he got the Indian top three out.
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“When I held the ball, the first thought that came to my mind was how enjoyable it would be if I can get these three batsmen out that day. I was thinking about that while going back to my run-up,” Amir said during a conversation with wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal.
“I knew Sharma struggles against in-swing. So, my plan was that I will not bring in the first two balls. I will make him feel that the ball is not swinging and will take the ball away with the angle. If you see the first two balls, I just took them away with the angle. The third ball I brought it in. So, that was the plan which worked.”
Amir trapped Rohit out LBW third ball of the innings, followed by the wicket of the dangerous Kohli in his next over to reduce India to 6/2. India was soon reduced to 54/4 and though Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja tried valiantly to win the match, India was dismissed for 158 runs.
“Kohli came and when his catch was dropped, I remembered about Fakhar because he had got out to a no-ball and then scored a century. And I had not seen such a batting wicket at the Oval. So, while going to my run-up I was thinking that if Kohli stands there now, he will finish the match in 40-45 overs,” recalled Amir.
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Amir picked 3/16 in his 6 overs, knew that the wicket of Virat Kohli was important, after he had been dropped by Zaman and realized he couldn’t have afforded to offer the India captain another lifeline and went towards his run-up.
“When Kohli came to bat, I bowled him an in-swinger first and he was beaten. After that I had decided, I will not bring the ball in to him. Let him keep thinking that I will bring the ball in. The first one went to slip as it went out with the angle. The second one also I had thought I will bowl him the same but a little up and let him drive and wanted to take a chance for a slip catch.
“But Virat Kohli was already looking to play me towards the on-side. His body had already turned towards the on-side. But my ball was going away with the angle and I am thankful Shadab took a brilliant catch as it was a tough one.”
(Hindustan Times inputs)
