Published: Jul 05, 2016, 12:53 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 05, 2016, 02:43 PM (IST)
England are on the verge of playing a four-match Test series against Pakistan in a few weeks time. Preparations are in full swing. While England’s limited-overs team is still not done with their Sri Lanka series as they are left with a one-off T20Is, Pakistan are demolishing Somerset in their tour game prior to the all-important series. It is time for redemption for the Pakistan team as they have been below par in ODIs and T20Is in the recent past. They have traditionally been good in Test cricket, but have not toured overseas for a long time. This series gives them a chance to make a mark in alien conditions. On the other hand, it is a very essential series for Mohammad Amir who is making a comeback to the longer format of the game since his comeback after serving jail term for the spot-fixing fiasco, which coincidentally happened in his national team’s last tour to England in 2010. ALSO READ: Alastair Cook’s cautionary message to Mohammad Amir
A lot has been said and written about Amir since he came back to the national front. He has been a part of the Pakistan cricket team in the shorter formats but will complete a full circle by making a comeback to the Test arena; more importantly, he will return to the same country where he had played his last Test for Pakistan and had committed a crime that had shamed his entire nation. Make no mistake, Amir is determined to push the envelope this time and shine for his nation which was humiliated 6 years ago because of three players being involved in spot-fixing.
Critics, cricket experts and England have already penned down harsh words for Amir. Some have encouraged his comeback, citing that having served served his ban, he has the right to redeem himself. Alastair Cook, however, has been vocal in taking a dig at Amir to dent his confidence before the Test series. Cook recently said, “I am sure there will be a reaction and that is right. This is part and parcel, that when you do something like that there are more consequences than just the punishment and that is something for him to cope with, whatever comes his way.”
Though Cook’s international limited-overs career is as good as over, he certainly keeps an eye of the ongoings in the shorter formats. He knows Amir has been fuming fire since his comeback. Amir’s spell against India in the Asia Cup 2016 was outstanding. Even if it came in a losing cause, he earned respect of the Indian cricketers as well. Since then, Amir is bowling in good areas and maintaining a sharp line and length with his trademark prodigious swing. On the other hand, though Cook is not exactly struggling in the only format he is playing for England, he is nowhere close to his best. By taking a shot at Amir, Cook is not only discouraging his comeback but also trying to dent his current form with the ball. READ MORE: Alastair Cook upsets Inzamam-ul-Haq with his comments on Mohammad Amir
In cricketing terms, it is quite obvious that Cook is playing mind games with the 24-year-old right now. The Barmy Army is not likely to spare Amir, and everything will depend on how the youngster handles the most challenging phase of his life. He has shined in the tour game against Somerset by taking 3 wickets in the first innings, helping bundle them out for 128. Amir is known for running through batting line-ups, and was successful in his last outing in England. He can give a tough time to Cook, who has been vulnerable to left-arm seamers at times.
Cook had a tough time against Amir when Pakistan toured England in 2010. In 7 innings Cook was dismissed by Amir thrice, either getting bowled or caught behind. He was once removed by Wahab Riaz, another left-arm seamer; these are ominous signs for England, who are yet to find a long-term opening partner for Cook. It is a clear-cut indication that this is a well-planned approach by Cook to unsettle Amir.
Unfortunately, mind games are not England’s, especially Cook’s, forte. It is probably time Cook prepares himself thoroughly to overcome the left-arm nemesis. If the strategy backfires, Cook would be the one facing backlash.
The comments have almost certainly stimulated Amir to give that extra. How Amir will perform, especially against Cook, is something the entire cricket arena is waiting to witness. Nonetheless, the series is expected to be a cracker of a contest between two teams with outstanding bowling line-ups.
Both Cook and Amir have a second chance. The England Test skipper will be eager to improve his record against Amir, while the young Pakistani would love to give it back to Cook with his action and not words.
The article first appeared in CricketCountry
(Aditya Sahay is a journalist with CricketCountry who is completely into sports and loves writing about cricket in general. He can be followed on Twitter at adisahay7)
