Mohammad Aamer’s it around the park!
Just last week I highlighted Sachin Tendulkar’s superb innings which single handily gave his team a chance of victory. Well would you believe it but yet another Asian player has been working his magic in a losing effort. This time the congratulations and commiserations go to Mohammad Aamer of Pakistan.
It was in the deciding game of the ODI series between Pakistan and New Zealand that this piece of solo expertise occurred. Aamer started off the game in his normal role of opening bowler, and reaped the rewards with two late wickets to restrict the Kiwis to just 211 all out. His partner in crime for later in the game, Saeed Ajmal, picked up 4-33.
Pakistan look set to reach this total at a canter, after being 47-0 off eight overs but self destructed to get to 101-9. This left Aamer and Ajmal with the daunting task of saving the series while staring in the face of defeat.
The pair decided attack was the best chance of victory as Aamer smashed three sixes off one Daniel Vettori over and three fours off one of Kyle Mills’ efforts. In the end he reached a superb 73 not out in a stand of 103 with Ajmal. However, Aamer was left dejected as Ajmal fell just seven runs short.
Aamer’s effort is the best score ever made by a number 10 in ODI history, which is amazing considering his best score in any professional cricket game before this was just 37! Also add into the equation that Aamer is just 17 years old and Pakistan have one talented kid for the future.
November 10th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Yes, it was a spirited fight by the last batsmen of Pakistan. Great to see a youngster like Amir step up to the occasion and put up a terrific fight that scared the living day lights of New Zealand.