Watch: Aamer Jamal, one of several Pakistan players playing in the Bangladesh Premier League, claimed his maiden T20 five-for, to secure victory for Comilla Victorians over Khulna Tigers today (February 7).
The Pakistan quick continued his successful winter, which included an impressive maiden Test tour of Australia, by displaying his mettle in the shortest format.
Defending 149 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Jamal was held back, only brought on as fifth change with Comilla Victorians on top, four wickets already having fallen. Initially, Jamal’s spell didn’t go to plan, with his second delivery a no ball and the free hit going for six. But two balls later he was right on the money, Evin Lewis mistiming a pick-up shot and holing out to the man on the leg-side.
Jamal was on top from thereon, and went from conceding eight off his first two legal deliveries to taking 2-3 off his next 12. Mohammad Nawaz was next to fall, struck in front after missing his attempted leg-side clip. The Pakistan all-rounder reviewed but to no avail, ball-tracking projecting the ball would have hit leg-stump.
Faheem Ashraf finally struck a blow for Khulna Tigers, swinging Jamal over deep mid-wicket, but fell attempting another big stroke one ball later, only succeeding in edging behind.
Jamal soon found himself on a hat-trick, Nahidul Islam holing out to Towhid Hridoy at deep mid-wicket before Nasum Ahmed got a leading edge to the same fielder, this time stationed at cover.
Khulna Tigers were nine down and Jamal had five balls left, but couldn’t get his sixth, finishing with 5-23. He had done enough for Comilla Victorians to win by 34 runs, however.
The 27-year-old has played three BPL games, proving economical but taking just one wicket in his first two outings. Having been expensive in two outings for Pakistan in New Zealand, Jamal’s return to form will bolster his case ahead of this summer’s T20 World Cup, to be played in the USA and Caribbean.
