Ahead of the opening day of the inaugural T10 Cricket League, Pakistan pace spearhead Mohammad Amir spoke to the media in Sharjah on Wednesday.
The Pakistan star has been picked up by the Virender Sehwag led Maratha Arabians in the six-team competition which will take place from December 14 to 17.
Amir’s side Maratha Arabians will play their first match against the Pakhtoons on Thursday.
Here, we take you through the 25-year-old’s Q&A session.
How excited are you about participating in the T10 Cricket League?
I want to thank the Maratha Arabians management first of all for selecting me in their team and giving me a good welcome. Regarding T10 cricket, this is my first involvement with it so I am really excited to see how it goes.
Is T10 cricket a batsman’s game?
I think it will be tough for both, the bowlers and the batsmen. The bowler has to think on his feet for each and every ball to prevent runs. For a batsman, every dot ball will add to the pressure and they will need to be inventive to score runs from every delivery.
What was your first thought which came to mind with respect to T10 cricket?
First question which came in mind was how I can ensure the least runs in my two overs. I firstly thought it will be a batsman’s game but at the end of the day it struck me that it is challenging for both (batsmen and bowlers). If there is a dot-ball, pressure builds on the batsman. If I go for a boundary, the pressure will build on me.
Ultimately this game is a test of skills. This cricket cannot be defined as a batsman’s game or a bowler’s game. This is a test of skills for both.
Amir believes T10 cricket will be equally challenging for bowlers and batsmen.
The most challenging thing about T10 cricket?
To be honest, it is the new ball. Since it is only a 10-over game, the ball will not get old and will come onto the bat pretty well. However, since the matches are starting late at night, it is possible that the conditions will suit the bowlers, too. So here the challenge is once again for both – batsmen and bowlers.
As I said, it is my first experience with T10 cricket so we will have to wait and see how it goes. I think it will be entertaining cricket and whoever enjoys cricket will accept this challenge with ease.
There are lots of 10-over games played in ‘street cricket’ in India and Pakistan, is T10 cricket similar?
There is a huge difference between street cricket and this (T10 Cricket League). Over here, there are many partners involved. Lots of people have their money and passion involved in this. So there is added pressure from media and the crowd. It is totally different cricket and you cannot take it easy.
You can enjoy the cricket but you also have to perform since you are getting paid a lot of money by the franchises. You have to play for their passion and love and also for your self-respect.
How does it feel to work with your idol Wasim Akram?
I am very excited and I want to learn as much as possible from him in the four days. He has always been my idol and I have grown up watching him. So I am very happy that I will be learning from him and spend some time in practice with him.
Amir is keen to link-up with his idol Wasim Akram.
How excited are you to play alongside Virender Sehwag?
No doubt it will be enjoyable playing with him. Viru bhai is one of the biggest names from Indian cricket so it will be a fun experience playing with him.
How has 2017 been for you personally?
It has been a very good year for me personally. We won the ICC Champions Trophy and then I had a great time with Essex in County cricket. I became a father too so this year has been amazing.
Any message for India skipper Virat Kohli on his marriage?
I am very happy for him and I even congratulated him. My wishes are with him for his new innings in life. A successful as he has been at cricket, I hope God gives him and his partner all the success and happiness in this chapter of his life too.
What is your target in the T10 Cricket League?
My target is to take a lot of wickets and to have the best economy rate. In T10 cricket, the bowler with the least economy rate will be the most successful and I want to be able to do that
