Pakistan pacer Aamer Jamal announced his arrival on the Test arena during the AUS vs PAK 1st Test at Perth. The pacer picked up a 6-wicket haul in his first game and registered the sixth-best bowling figures by a Pakistani bowler on Test debut.
Jamal’s 6/111 helped Pakistan stage a mini-comeback on Day 2 after a defalted opening day against the hosts.
While the 27-year-old is enjoying the much deserving accolades from cricket pundits and fans, his journey to the international circuit was not without its challenges.
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The fast bowler had to wait patiently for his call-up, having endured a four-year period from 2014 to 2018 with no cricket exposure. However, that didn’t deter Aamer, who took matters into his own hands, and kept working hard in nets that eventually earned him a sponsorship opportunity in Australia.
“I did not play any substantial cricket for four years after playing U19 in 2014. I only got a few grade-II matches in a couple of seasons. I went to Australia upon being invited by someone who had come to play at our club. He was impressed with my work ethic and offered me a sponsorship”, Aamer had shared in an interview with PCB in July.
While he impressed on his debut season down under, his heart was in Pakistan and the youngster returned in hopes of getting an opportunity to play but it met with rejections.
“During the season in Australia, I got to know about an upcoming Pakistan U23 tour and I immediately came back as I could not let go of my love for Pakistan. I had pinned hopes on making an impact in the upcoming grade-II season, but I was not selected by any side”, Jamal recalled.
Juggle between family duties and pursuit of dream
Jamal revealed that he had to live a dual life as a cab driver and a cricketer to keep his family and himself going. Aamer bought a car on bank lease, registered with ride-hailing services, and balanced his daily routine.
“I used to get online for my first shift from five until ten-thirty in the morning, then I bowled for two hours without any rest. After having a bit of food, whatever I could get my hands on, I used to bat and field,” Aamer recounted.
His relentless schedule, spanning three shifts a day, instilled in him a sense of punctuality and an appreciation for hard-earned success.
“This struggle instilled punctuality in me and I started to value things. When you are forced to work hard and earn things, you value them”, the pacer told.
Aamer’s recent exploits in the Perth Test was a testiment of that punctuality and hardwork. Despite going for runs in his first two spells, the pacer backed himself and kept on bowling good lines which eventually resulted in success.
While it is still too early to place him on the same ‘generational talent’ pedestal as Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, Aamer Jamal’s talent and unwavering attitude suggest that the day is not too far.
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