"I wish I could bowl at Headingley every day" – Mohammad Aamer by PakPassion.Net

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Player:

Mohammad Aamer

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DateLine: 25th July 2010

 

In a spell-binding display of pace, accuracy and aggression, Pakistani teenage pace sensation Mohammad Aamer played a huge part in helping Pakistan to victory in the second Test played against Australia at Headingley.

 

The 18 year old Pakistani pacer made the most of favourable bowling conditions on day one to bundle Australia out for a paltry 88 and ensure Pakistan took control of the match. Taking the key wicket of Katich initially and subsequently Smith and Johnson in consecutive deliveries, the latter to an almost unplayable delivery which reminded many experts of Wasim Akram at his best, Aamer ended with figures of 3 for 20 from 11 hostile overs.

 

However it was the second innings where Aamer really came to the fore, picking up four of the Australian top six batsmen, including the crucial wicket of Ricky Ponting early on the third morning, as the skipper's partnership with vice captain Michael Clarke threatened to take the game away from Pakistan.

 

The Gujjar Khan Express was ecstatic with Pakistan's win and speaking to PakPassion.net stated "I really enjoyed bowling at Headingley, I wish I could bowl here on this pitch every day".

 

The Headingley wicket though was not completely in favour of the bowlers as Aamer explained. "When the sun came out, it was tougher for the bowlers, we really had to be patient and consistent with our line and length."

 

The plan for Aamer was simple, yet highly effective at Leeds. "I knew I had to pitch it up and look for swing and not bowl short. The coach told me that if I bowled the nagging length where the batsman doesn’t know whether to come forward or go back, then that would really challenge the batsmen. That's what I concentrated on, the length. I felt that I could have bowled a bit quicker, but that may have affected the length, so I concentrated more on bowling the length that Waqar bhai had talked about", stated Aamer.

 

When asked what this victory meant for the team, Aamer could not contain his happiness. "It was a huge win and finally puts to bed our losing streak against Australia, something we are all really pleased about."

 

The next big challenge for Aamer and the Pakistan team is the four Test series against England, and the left-armer sounded as determined as ever. “Playing against England will present new challenges for me and the other bowlers, but I am sure we can do well. They are a strong team with a varied batting lineup, but if me and the other bowlers bowl well and consistently then I'm sure we can put up a good challenge".

 

Aamer was named man of the match at Headingley as he returned career best Test figures of 7 for 106.

 

Pakistan will be hoping that Aamer continues his fine form on the tour as they now alternate from being the "home" side in England to being the away team.

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
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