Mohammad Amir: “My target is to take wickets and be third-time lucky in England after [Pakistan won] the World Twenty20 [in 2009] and Champions Trophy [in 2017]”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Ahead of his World Cup debut, Pakistan left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir has revealed that his two main goals at the tournament are to take wickets and see his side win the event.

Pakistan have not tasted World Cup glory since 1992, where the country’s current Prime Minister Imran Khan led the team to victory.

Amir initially failed to make the cut as there were concerns over the fact that since the conclusion of the Champions Trophy in 2017, he had only taken five wickets in 15 ODIs at an average of 92.60.

However, he was included in the finalised World Cup squad, along with fellow left-arm pace bowler Wahab Riaz and big-hitting middle order batsman Asif Ali.

With the trio coming in, left-arm pace bowler Junaid Khan, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf and opener Abid Ali were axed from the side.

“It’s a dream come true,” Amir told AFP. “Every cricketer dreams of representing his country in a World Cup so this is my chance.

“My target is to take wickets and be third-time lucky in England after [Pakistan won] the World Twenty20 [in 2009] and Champions Trophy [in 2017].

“Our triumph in the World Twenty20 was excellent and then the Champions Trophy – the impact of those wins are with us and the amount of support we get in the UK is extraordinary, so naturally we will like to match those.

“People love the Pakistan team and come in large numbers to support us. I can’t forget the final of the Champions Trophy at The Oval [in 2017].”

Pakistan will kick off their World Cup campaign against the West Indies in Nottingham on Friday.

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