KARACHI: Former Pakistan left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir credited the former captain and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mickey Arthur respectively for his match-winning spell in the final of the Champions Trophy 2017 against the arch-rival India.
Amir, while speaking on ARY News’ show Bouncer (Champions Trophy Special), recalled his match-defining spell against the defending champion India when he dismantled the strong Indian top-order comprised of the then top-ranked batter Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shikar Dhawan.
“Look people always laud my spell against India in the Champions Trophy but I think the credit for such performance goes to each and every player, who made their contribution in the process like Hasan, who was the best bowler of the tournament, Junaid Khan, and Rumman Raees, who did well in the semi-final against England,” Amir stated.
“The credit for my performance goes to Safi Bhai [Sarfaraz Ahmed] and Mickey Arthur the most since they showed confidence in my abilities and backed me despite coming out of the injury. Rumman, too, had done brilliantly in the semi-finals, so they had a strong reason to carry the same Playing XI and drop me but they didn’t and thankfully I didn’t let them down,” he maintained.
The left-arm pacer further recalled the incidence of the then top-ranked batter Kohli’s drop catch by the former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali and claimed his aggression was brief and it was beneficial for the team that he got out on the very next ball.
“When Virat’s catch was dropped, no doubt I was furious and I think that was natural as a bowler when you see that a catch has been dropped on your bowling and the bowler gets aggressive for a couple of seconds but I think it is a part of the game and anyone can drop a catch,” Amir said.
“Ajju Bhai [Azhar Ali] is very respectable for me because he is such a nice human being. We share a bond of mutual respect. I think we didn’t need to think about that since he was gone on the next ball and Shadab grabbed an outstanding catch and then Azhar Bhai was adoring me,” he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that Amir produced an incredible bowling performance in the Champions Trophy 2017 final against India as he returned with a bowling spell of 3-16.
READ: ‘I told players we’d return wearing white coats’ Sarfaraz recalls CT 17 glory
