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Amir-Kohli friendship grows stronger

Dubai - Arch-rivals they may be on a cricket field but off it there are numerous tales of strong bonds being forged between each other

A dream full-fledged India-Pakistan series is yet to see the light of day but the friendship, bond and mutual admiration between cricketers from either side of the border continues to grow from strength to strength.
Arch-rivals they may be on a cricket field but off it there are numerous tales of strong bonds being forged between each other. Indian captain Virat Kohli and Pakistan left-arm quick Mohammad Amir's is one such friendship that continues to blossom.
Kohli tied the knot to long-time girlfriend and actress Anushka Sharma a couple of days ago and Amir took the opportunity to wish the couple all the happiness in their new innings.
"I'm so happy for him. I also congratulated him and I wish him in his life's new innings," Amir said on the sidelines of the T10 League. Amir is part of the Maratha Arabians franchise.
"Like he made a name for himself in cricket, I wish and pray to Allah that he is successful in his new life and Allah gives both of them a good life and all the happiness. I also pray Allah protects them from evil eyes. When a lot of eyes are on you, a lot of people's evil eyes could be on you. But I pray that Allah helps them in this new journey," he added.
Kohli and Amir's friendship goes back to the World Twenty20 in India in 2016 when the Indian captain was seen chatting with Amir ahead of the India-Pakistan. Kohli had also gifted a bat to the left-arm quick during the training session.
Kohli was one of the few who had backed Amir's return to cricket and had termed him a world class bowler. Amir, meanwhile, had said that Kohli was the world's best batsman.
Meanwhile, Amir and a whole lot of others will get their first taste of cricket's newest format T10 and the fast bowler was eager to lap up the experience.
"I'm quite excited about the T10 because it is a new experience. Let's see what happens," Amir said.
Amir also felt it won't be dominated by the batsmen with bowlers too in with a chance and said that it would all come down to the skills.
"I think it will be tough for both batsmen and the bowlers because the bowler has to think about each and every ball that he is going to bowl. And for a batsman, even a dot ball would be pressure for his team. He would have to think how to get the runs. So, I feel it will be challenging for both," he said.
"My first thoughts were this would be a batsman's game. But I thought long and hard and felt that it could be challenging for both. If I bowl one dot ball, the batsman is then under a bit of pressure. And if I concede a boundary, the pressure is on the bowler. So, it is a test of your skills. You just cannot say it is a batsman's game or a bowler's game. It is about skills," added Amir.
Amir also said that the new ball would be key in such a format. "For me, the most challenging thing in this tournament would be the new ball because there are only 10 overs and the ball will not get old, and it will come on nicely onto the bat. But I feel the conditions, because they are late night matches, so maybe it could favour the bowlers a bit. But I feel it would be enjoyable cricket," Amir said.
Amir was also keen to learn from his idol Wasim Akram and also play along side India's Virender Sehwag.
"I'm very, very excited about the things I can learn from him over the four days. He has been my idol forever and I'm happy to have got the opportunity to learn from him," said the 25-year-old.
"No doubt it will be fun. Viru bhai is one of the greatest players to have played for India and it would be a wonderful experience to play alongside him," he added.
james@khaleejtimes.com