Outcast Pakistan wicket-keeper batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed who is gearing up to captain the Quetta Gladiators in the upcoming 9th edition of Pakistan Super League, backed national team left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir to have a successful season for the Quetta-based outfit.
Mohammad Amir is currently on duty for the Desert Vipers franchise in the ongoing International League T20 in the United Arab Emirates. The tournament is currently awaiting for the knockout stages to begin from 13th February onwards with teams like MI Emirates and Gulf Giants the favorites to go through to the final.
Desert Vipers are currently at the bottom of the table with just 6 points to their name in 9 league matches where they have come out on top just three times. They will play the last league match of the season against 5th-placed Sharjah Warriors and even if the Vipers win the contest, they will not seal qualification for the knockout phases.
They have several Pakistani players in the team other than Mohammad Amir like wicket-keeper batsman Azam Khan, and the national team’s T20I captain Shaheen Afridi. The Vipers lost their previous league match against Dubai Capitals in the final delivery of the match as Zimbabwe skipper Sikander Raza scored a six off the last ball to further solidify the Capitals’ chances of reaching the knockouts.
Mohammad Amir had figures of 1/37 in his 4-over quota and proved to be a bit too expensive during Dubai’s successful chase of 173 runs at the Dubai Sports City stadium. By far, Amir has been the best bowler for the Desert Vipers and he is their highest wicket-taker of the season.
The Punjab-born pacer is also tied with teammate Wanindu Hasaranga at 4th in terms of the league’s highest wicket-takers with 12 wickets in 8 matches with Fazalhaq Farooqi, Waqar Salamkheil, and Trent Boult leading the charts with 17, 14 and 14 wickets respectively.
After the Desert Vipers’ final league match of the season, Mohammad Amir will be flying over to Pakistan to feature for the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League season 9 starting from February 13th onwards. The Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars will play the opening match of the season at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
“His Team Has Been Performing Well”, Sarfaraz Ahmed Opines On Mohammad Amir’s Impact On Teams
Sarfaraz Ahmed who last appeared for national duty in the 1st of a 3-match Test series in Australia, claimed that Mohammad Amir has been very impactful for whichever team he has played for around the world. Ahmed is expecting something similar from Amir this time around as well and hopes that he can be a profitable asset for the team.
“In the last two years, wherever Amir has played cricket, his team has been performing well. Amir and Sohail Khan are experts in both bowling new and old balls. We are hopeful that Amir will prove to be profitable for Quetta Gladiators.” – Sarfaraz told Cricket Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the Quetta Gladiators will open their PSL campaign with a clash against Mohammad Rizwan-led Multan Sultans on February 15th.