As the number one pick in the T10 League player auction last month, there was a lot of intrigue as to how Mohammad Amir would adapt to the newest format of the game.
Indeed, it was largely a tournament to forget for the Pakistan star – who was part of the Maratha Arabians side that were beaten by five wickets against Kerala Kings in the semi-finals – earlier on Sunday.
Amir, however, has commented how the shortest format of the game will help him improve his bowling in Tests, one-day and T20 cricket for his country.
STATS
Overs bowled: two
Wickets: None
Figures: 2-26
Economy: 13.00
EFFECTIVENESS WITH THE BALL
In his first spell, Amir bowled two dot balls as well as giving away just two singles. But, more importantly, two of his six deliveries saw him punished by Paul Stirling with fours. His first was just too easy with the ball short and wide but Stirling really had to work for his other boundary, going down on one knee to scoop it to the fence.
When he returned with the ball, 25 runs were required for Kerala to win from four overs. What should have been six deliveries turned out to be eight and ultimately proved to be expensive with 17 runs conceded.
While he began on a positive note with a variation of slow balls and yorkers, he was smashed for a four by Eoin Morgan. In the very next ball, he was hit for a six and that too off a no-ball didn’t do him no favours. He also bowled a wide.
CAN PLAYING T10 CRICKET HELP HIS SHOWINGS WITH PAKISTAN?
This could well be the only time that the 25-year-old will be playing T10 cricket for at least another 12 months. However, after just one wicket in four matches in the competition, he might not be too fussed about that. For Pakistan, Amir cannot afford to have lapses in concentration – like his second spell in Sunday’s semi-final – when he gifted the opposition freebies by bowling a no ball and a wide.
Pakistan are set to play T20s against New Zealand and West Indies next year and although it’s in a different format, the lessons he has learnt from Sharjah will go a long way in helping the paceman develop as a player.
VERDICT
Six. Not the best of days for Amir with the ball and he would be the first to admit that.