Published: Mar 01, 2016, 10:54 AM (IST)
Edited: Mar 01, 2016, 10:54 AM (IST)
Pakistan fast pace bowler Mohammad Aamer is experiencing the same feels like Leonardo de Caprio who was chasing behind an Oscar and Aamer in cricket world was looking to get once chance to prove himself after five years ban. There could not have been a better platform than India vs Pakistan clash in Asia Cup 2016. When Pakistan chose to bat first, they would have never imagined such a low scoring total of 83. It was Aamer who turned a seemingly one-sided match on its head with three wickets in his first two overs. But then Aamer faced India’s fiery batsman Virat Kohli who got adapted to the conditions of Mirpur comfortably. Aamer and Kohli shared 15 deliveries which proved to healthy and true sportsmanship. READ: Mohammad Aamer, Shoaib Malik shine in Pakistan’s 7-wicket victory over UAE in Asia Cup 2016 Match 6 at Dhaka
After the match, Kohli showered praise on Aamer mentioning, “I would like to congratulate Aamer for the way he bowled; I actually congratulated him while he was bowling. It was amazing to play such a spell. I said this before; he is a world class bowler.” Aamer said “Kohli’s praise made my day. It was generous of him what he said for me,” Aamer told Mumbai Mirror. “It’s the sort of encouragement that you need and when it comes from a super star like Virat, it means a lot. On the other hand, it’s a big challenge for me as well because it adds to my responsibility to prove that I am worth that praise. Even before the match, he used some good words for me. It was very kind of him.” READ: VVS Laxman, Wasim Akram praise Mohammad Aamer’s bowling spell vs India in Asia Cup T20 2016
Aamer said Rohit Sharma’s wicket was big. “I watched him bat in Australia where he scored a lot of runs so it was important to get him early. I thought I had him first ball but it was given not out. The next delivery was perfectly pitched and I got him. Shahid Afridi came to me and said that it is a big wicket. Then I had Ajinkiya Rahane and it doubled our joy. Next over I had Suresh Raina and before that I came close to dismiss Virat. We would have been in a strong position had that been given out.” But Kohli batted well sending across the ball for boundaries in Aamer’s spell.
“That proved that he is a world class player. He read the situation well and scored runs gradually and didn’t panic at all. Virat is a very good player and his words will help me do better and better. It was great to bowl at him and he once again proved that he is a world class player; ordinary player would have succumbed to that pressure but not Virat.” He continued, “It was unfortunate that we didn’t have too many runs to play for. Had we got 110, it would have been our match but I am very happy that my performance helped us avoid a one-sided defeat. In fact we gave a scare to India.”
