Mohammed Amir. Reuters
Pakistan's premier fast bowler Mohammed Amir has insisted that his feared swing is slowly returning in his deliveries after he produced long spells during the Test series against hosts West Indies earlier this month.
Amir, 25, bowled 129 overs in the three-match Test series bagging 13 wickets as Pakistan produced a memorable send-off for captain Misbah Ul Haq and veteran batsman Younis Khan.
"I bowled few long spells. That gave me confidence. My swing is coming back slowly," Amir said in an interview yesterday as Pakistan prep up for the Champions Trophy which starts in England today.
"Even my line and length are getting better. I think the confidence that I have now will help me during our Champions Trophy matches since playing conditions will be helpful in England. Hopefully I will do well," the left-arm paceman said.
Pakistan landed in England a little over two weeks ago and Amir said it was a right move.
"Yes, this camp will definitively help the players. These are tough conditions since it has rained a lot here during the last few days. But the good thing is that in the coming days, sunny conditions have been predicted and when you bowl or train in tough weather conditions, you do well during sunny days," Amir explained.
"The 10-day gap we've had here, will be helpful to us. Last season we were in England a month in advance and that helped us to do well in the Test series. The boys are doing well," Amir said without giving away any details.
When asked about the Pakistan-India clash in the Champions Trophy, Amir said: "I think India-Pakistan games are always about pressure. The team that handles pressure well usually takes the game. We beat the West Indies in the ODIs. The wickets were slow but we did well. I hope our batsmen will do well here also."
Amir's pace partner Junaid Khan said he would be looking at picking up early wickets to give his side the edge.
"I don't have one particular batsman that I look at bowling to. My attempt will be to get wickets so that we could get the opposition out as soon as possible," Khan said.
"Whatever effort was needed from our side, we have given during the training sessions," Khan said. "We are doing more than our given ability," he said.
When asked about Pakistan's first game against India, he said: "We must take this as any other match since there's no need to put pressure on yourself. I will try to get as many wickets as possible."
Khan said the wet weather prediction for June 4 was not a concern.
"You see, we can't control the weather. What we can do is play attractive cricket. What the fans can do is to wish us well," the left-arm pacer said.
Pakistan's new bowling all-rounder Hassan Ali said he can't wait for the start of the team's Champions Trophy opener against arch-rivals India.
"Like you said, I am very excited ahead of the Pakistan-India game. Hopefully I will get a chance to play in the playing XI," Ali said.
When asked about his preparations, Ali said: "I try to stick to basics and keep myself calm most of the times."
He added: "I have been training hard with our batting coach. I have scored a few runs. I haven't been able to get runs for the national team but I intend to improve my batting."
Ali said: "We have been working hard at the gym and on the field. We are undergoing strenuous fielding drills and there is fun activity among juniors and senior players."
