Mohammad Amir, born on April 13, 1992, is a prominent left-arm pace bowler from Pakistan. He is often revered as one of the most talented cricketers of his generation, drawing comparisons to legendary bowler Wasim Akram. Despite facing career setbacks, Amir has managed to make a resounding impact on the cricketing world with his impressive skills and immense potential.
Amir’s journey in cricket began in 2007 when he caught the attention of Wasim Akram during a pace camp in Lahore. His remarkable talent led to his selection for the U-19 tour in England. Over the next few years, Amir continued to showcase his skills and emerged as a hot pace prospect. In 2009, he made his debut on the domestic circuit and immediately impressed with his whippy pace and swing. Playing for the National Bank of Pakistan, he took 55 wickets in his debut season, earning him a spot in the Pakistan World T20 squad.
During the World T20, Amir displayed his potential to the world. He played a crucial role in Pakistan’s title run, replacing an out-of-form Sohail Tanvir and bowling with remarkable pace, accuracy, and courage. His performances in the tournament, including a pivotal opening over dismissal of Tillakaratne Dilshan in the final, solidified his status as a talented young bowler. Amir’s success carried over to the ODI version of the game, where he consistently turned in match-winning performances.
Amir’s breakthrough moment in Test cricket came on his debut tour of Sri Lanka, where he took six wickets in his first match. He continued to mature and develop his skills over tours to New Zealand, Australia, and England. In 2010, during the England tour, he became the youngest bowler, at just 18 years old, to take 50 Test wickets. However, his career took a severe blow when he was implicated in a spot-fixing scandal in which he was alleged to have bowled deliberate no-balls. As a result, Amir was handed a five-year ban in 2011 and sentenced to six months in prison.
Following his release, Amir expressed remorse for his actions and cooperated with the International Cricket Council (ICC) in spreading the message against corruption in the sport. He was cleared to return to international cricket in 2015 and made his comeback the following year. In his reintroduction to the Test squad, Amir played a significant role in Pakistan’s victory at Lord’s, the very venue where his career had derailed six years earlier.
Although Amir’s Test performances have been inconsistent, he has proven his worth with memorable moments in limited-overs cricket. One such moment came during the Champions Trophy final against India in 2017. Amir’s exceptional opening spell dismantled India’s top order, ultimately leading to Pakistan’s victory by a resounding margin of 180 runs.
While Amir’s Test performances may have fallen short of expectations, he remains an immensely talented cricketer. His left-arm angle, banana swing, and beautiful bowling action continue to mesmerize fans and opponents alike. Amir will forever be remembered for his historic comeback and contributions to Pakistan cricket. As he continues his career, cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate witnessing his undeniable talent and potential unfold on the field.
