The left arm Pakistani fast bowler Mohammed Amir who destroyed Indian top order in the champions trophy final is all set to join his county side, Essex. Amir will make his debut on Monday for the current Championship leaders against Middlesex.
Last year during Pakistan”s visit to the UK for a 4 match test series was the first time the fast bowler returned for an international match in the country where he committed the sin of bowling a no-ball and was held for spot-fixing almost 7 years ago in 2010. Following his return to cricket, Alastair Cook made a statement in favor of banning the match fixers for whole life in order to protect the integrity of the game.
Amir who”s Essex joining was confirmed in November last year termed his relationship between the former English skipper Cook and himself as “very good”. According to him, there isn”t any tension between the two individuals and the welcome he has received a warm welcome from Cook.
Amir was quoted as saying-“No [there are no issues between us], nothing. He”s always nice and always very supportive.
“Everybody knows he”s a good batsman and a very nice human being, so I think it will be a very good journey with him.
“The way the people treat me, they are very nice to me; the way they gave me a reception was very, very inspiring for me.”
One interesting bit of conversation revealed by The fast bowler was the willingness of Cook in learning Urdu, although Amir termed it as funny, who knows the former English skipper might be serious as well.
“I met him the first day when I arrived and he was very nice,” Amir remarked. “He said to me, the funny thing, “I want to learn Urdu (Amir”s native language), so you have to teach me.
Amir bowled a devastating opening spell against the arch-rivals India to help Pakistan clinch their maiden Champions Trophy title. He was quick to admit that his Oval heroics was perhaps his greatest success after the return to cricket and might be a career defining moment going forward.
“That was a career booster,” he said. “The way I performed in the final for my country feels very, very good, I don”t have words for that.”
“It will be a very good summer for me; my first time playing county cricket. I”ve met good people here and hope it will be a good journey.”
Amir concluded by admitting that his move of not returning to Pakistan after the triumph against India in the final and staying in England to play county cricket may have angered some fans back home, but he feels he made the right choice as his first priority being cricket, and he is hopeful of improving the bowling skills and help Essex in winning the championship during his county stint.