ANTIGUA: Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir had a forgetful outing at the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024 as he failed to defend 16 runs off the final over.
Amir, representing Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the ongoing tournament, needed to defend 16 runs against Guyana Amazon Warriors with Dwaine Pretorius on strike.
The left-arm pacer started well as he barred Pretorius from scoring with a delivery, angled across and out of the batter’s arc.
He then looked to cramp the batter in his legs with a yorker but bowled a low full toss instead and paid the price as Pretorius hit it for a boundary behind square.
Pretorius glimmered a ray of hope for the Warriors with another boundary towards the same region.
After being hit for consecutive boundaries, Amir seemed to have recovered as he bowled a dot ball but faltered on the penultimate delivery as he pitched it a bit short while attempting to bowl a wide yorker and was hit for the third four in the over.
Warriors then needed four runs off the last ball and Mohammad Amir went again for the wide yorker but bowled a fraction short into the slot. Pretorius lined it up, went through the line and smashed it over long off to snatch a thrilling victory for his side.
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Mohammad Amir was phenomenal in his opening spell, conceding just three runs off two overs and also bowled a maiden but his death bowling was far from his best.
Speaking at the post-match ceremony, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons’ captain Chris Green termed the loss “unfortunate” but extended his support to Mohammad Amir despite his death bowling debacle.
“It is unfortunate. These two games going down to the last ball. We have none from two. We can learn so many things from these games. I am proud of how we fought,” said Green.
“Amir is one of the best bowlers in the world. When you bowl the hard overs, you have to show up as a human at times. We move forward now. Look you can find so many moments in cricket.
“We were ahead of the game. 10-15 runs short. Was hard to stop set batters. We missed our spots in the last stages of the game. The shot over long-off and cover was amazing. Not time to panic. We can be disappointed. We fought till the end. Different individuals have stood up. Still, 8 games to go in the tournament.”
In the CPL 2024 opener, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons succumbed to a one-wicket defeat against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.