Mohammad Amir has kept himself busy with some cricket of late. The pacer played in three major T20 leagues in less than a week, which by all means is a huge amount. All of it began with the T20 World Cup 2024, in which Amir turned out for Pakistan in the tournament. After the World Cup, he went to the UK to represent the Derbyshire Falcons in the T20 Blast. It is one of the most thrilling leagues, featuring some of the toughest competitors one may find.
However, Amir didn’t stop there. Soon after, he was summoned by the Oval Invincibles for The Hundred. This league differs from other leagues in many ways, for it has its own unique format where the matches are played with 100 balls. Amir’s schedule was so hectic that he had to dash off to Canada to link up with the Vancouver Knights for the Global T20 Canada. That explains how dedicated the cricketer is, as he is not only participating in various leagues but also covering different countries to meet up with his choked cricket calendar.
Amir Impresses in The Hundred
Though short, Amir’s time with Oval Invincibles was very impressive. Spencer Johnson was originally slated to play for the Invincibles. But Johnson had prior commitments with Major League Cricket, and Amir came in as the replacement for just that one game. Amir made an instant impact in this game.
He took two wickets of importance while giving away just seven runs in total. This was a special performance from the Invincibles as they embarked on their campaign in The Hundred. It was at this point that his class and the fact that he handles pressure very well were vividly displayed. That single game proved to be a talent booster, an indicator of why he had become such an important player.
Amir’s maiden effort for the Vancouver Knights in Global T20 Canada didn’t go according to plan. He was out for a duck, which means he did not score any runs when the Knights batted first. He then bowled two overs and gave away just seven runs, which was a good sign.
Outside noise
In his second game for the Knights, he did better. Against the Bengal Tigers in Mississauga, he took one wicket and gave away 24 runs in four overs. The performance was improved, and it showed that Amir was coming back into form. All in all, his ability to recover from a tough start and hence contribute effectively was a good sign for his future matches.
While Amir was busy with his cricket, there was some controversy back home. The Pakistan Cricket Board decided not to give No Objection Certificates to other top Pakistani players like Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam. The move implies that Rizwan and Azam will not participate in the GT20 league. The move has also come under question by many.
PCB’s NOC denial for top players
It is as if the PCB wants these players to focus on its domestic and international commitments. Much debate has been ignited by this move amongst fans and experts. Mohammad Amir played in the T20 World Cup and then participated in the Hundred and Global T20 Canada to further evidence his adaptability through different leagues and conditions. Though he has been up and down in his performances, his commitment to the game can be gauged through his actions.
The scenario with the PCB and NOCs has lent another layer of difficulty to his career. With Amir continuing his playing duties across leagues, fans will remember his performances in these leagues keenly. His journey across these leagues showed that, while there are challenges, opportunities abound in modern-day cricket as well. It will be interesting to note how he manages his time and what other moves he has in store in the field of cricket.
