Pakistan have longed for an all-rounder like India's Hardik Pandya for a long time. Seems like their quest for one is over as Aamer Jamal, the debutant on the Paksitani team, looks like a promising all-rounder.
The 26-year-old stole the win for Pakistan in the last over when England needed 15 runs in the final over, with batter Moeen Ali on 45. Ali could only hit one six of Jamal in the over. On rest of the balls, he simply couldn't hit the ball.
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Jamal, who had only bowled one over in the match, was given the ball by Babar Azam and he delivered it.
How Pakistan won the match: Batting first, Pakistan had gotten to a slow start.
Only Mohammad Rizwan stayed as he anchored Pakistan's innings to 145 runs with his knock of 63 off 46 balls.
Mark Wood ran through captain Babar Azam, Haider Ali and Asif Ali.
Rest of the batters scored below 20.
In reply, England also got to a shaky start, as they were down for 31/3.
Captain Moeen Ali stayed unbeaten as he scored 51 off 37 balls.
Apart from him, David Malan scored 36 off 35 balls.
The team was all-out on 139.
Pakistan won the match by 5 runs. This was also the lowest total Pakistan had defended on a home ground.
Pakistani all-rounder Aamer Jamal. Photo: AFP
Who is Aamer Jamal? Jamal was popular in the domestic cricket circuit of Pakistan as a very good all-rounder. He made his first-class debut for Pakistan Television Cricket team in 2018-19, for the Quaid-e-Azam trophy, on September 1, 2018. He belongs to the Mianwali region of Punjab in Pakistan.
His final over:
1st ball: It was a slower low full toss outside off stump that confused Moeen Ali. It nicked the edge of his bat and hit his pad.
2nd: It was again a yorker outside off stump on which Moen Ali hit towards mid-wicket. However, with 15 needed, he didn't run.
3rd: A six! Jamal bowled a good length ball deviating from his yorker. Ali got over the ball and smashed it for a six over long on. England now needed 8 off 3 balls.
4th: Jamal again successfully tried the yorker outside off stump and Moeen Ali could hardly do anything than play a shot towards mid-wicket. No run came off the ball.
5th: Jamal again bowled the same yorker, and Moeen Ali after playing a shot towards midwicker fielder, went for a run. England now needed 7 off 1 ball. Pakistan had already won the match.
6th: On the final ball, Jamal bowled a good-length bowl towards leg stump which David Willey hit towards long-off but didn't run.
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Why Pakistan needed a player like Aamer Jamal: Pakistan's middle order has been a big issue for a long time.
Khushdil Shah, Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed and even Shadab Khan were not consistent.
The team relied only on the top order batters Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman.
Zaman, who has been out of form for quite some time, was replaced with Haider Ali.
Shan Masood was also called in the team to strengthen the middle order.
And now with Aamer Jamal, the team seems to have got a perfect all-rounder.
The 26 year-old cricketer is renowned in Pakistan domestic cricket as a good hitter. He is most likely to feature in the Playing X1 of Pakistan in the T20 World Cup.