From taxi driver to Test cricketer, Pakistan’s Aamer Jamal says “I have struggled a lot to get this far” after masterful innings at No.9 following Pakistan’s collapse in Sydney

Aamer Jamal's innings ensured Pakistan reached 313 from 227-9. In one of his most outrageous shots of the match, he reversed-sweep Nathon Lyon for a six. 

From taxi driver to Test cricketer, Pakistan’s Aamer Jamal says “I have struggled a lot to get this far” after masterful innings at No.9 following Pakistan’s collapse in Sydney

Aamer Jamal raises his bat as the SCG applauds him. (Image via ESPN)

Pakistan won the toss during the Pink Test and elected to bat in Sydney on January 3. Things went south from the first two overs as openers Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub went for ducks. Shan Masood and Babar Azam didn’t fare well either, as the duo managed only 35 and 26. They lost their 5th wicket at 97 runs. 

Mohammad Rizwan managed to bring some stability back, scoring a much required 88, but by the 55th over they were 227/9. Newcomer Aamer Jamal and Mir Hamza were the last batters left. Instead of letting the Australian bowlers bully them, Jamal started a counter attack that got Pakistan over the 300 run mark.

YouTube video

The duo had a partnership of 86, out of which Jamal scored 79 runs. His entertaining knock included 9 boundaries and 4 sixes. In one of his most outrageous shots of the match, he reversed-sweep Nathon Lyon for a six. 

He brought up his fifty in style, by playing an uppercut to Mitchell Starc for four. As he hit those runs, he took off his helmet to celebrate. He finally got out to Nathon Lyon. Jamal tried to clear the long-on boundary by stepping out, but found Starc instead. He departed with 82 runs on the board, with the teams total being 313.  

I have struggled a lot to get this far, but I never gave up. It means the world to me.
Jamal said after the game on Day 1

Netizens hail Aamer Jamal after brave 82

Many netizens praised the young Jamal for his efforts in saving the Pakistan innings. If it wasn’t for his counter-attacking innings, Pakistan could’ve been bundled out on a below par score. Many said his innings was better than any century. Some said that he deserved a century for his efforts and was unlucky. 

Aamer Jamal
Aamer Jamal (Image via ESPN)

Check out their reaction below: 

https://twitter.com/Shahab_0663/status/1742439677745844324?s=20
https://twitter.com/iaMalik01/status/1742437707538903056?s=20

As Jamal got out, the entire Australian team ran as fast as they could so that they could get to bat. David Warner and Usman Khawaja got to bat only one over, but all 6 balls were faced by Warner. He scored 6 runs, but was close to getting out in the 5th ball. Sajid Khan bowled a ball angling into the stump, Warner managed to block it but the ball bounced off the pitch and just hit the stumps. 

In case you missed!