Aamir Jamal is on the SCG Honours Board.
The Pakistan seamer’s golden summer continued on day three of the New Year’s Test in Sydney, claiming career-best figures of 6-69 from 21.4 overs, the fourth-best bowling performance by a Pakistan player at the SCG in Test history.
After knocking over opener Usman Khawaja on Thursday afternoon, Jamal ripped through Australia’s tail the following afternoon in a dramatic collapse of 5-10.
Australia looked destined to clinch a first-innings lead before Jamal wreaked havoc after the tea break, ensuring the tourists were ahead by 14 runs.
The Sydney crowd rose to its feet as Jamal retired to the sheds with the Kookaburra aloft, applauding the 27-year-old following his career-best performance.
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“What a proud moment this is,” former Australian spinner Kerry O’Keeffe said on Fox Cricket commentary.
“The SCG members will rise to him. This has been heroic.
“Well done son.”
Former New Zealand wicketkeeper Ian Smith continued: “The pride of Pakistan, he has been in this series.
“He has just inspired them.
“This will go down as one of the best (bowling performances at the SCG).
“Such a special, special performance … brilliant, absolutely magnificent.”
Akram labelled him “the find of the tour”, while Australian legend Mark Waugh added: “He’s improving every time he gets that ball in his hands.”
It comes after Jamal clobbered 82 in the first innings of the dead rubber, combining with tailender Mir Hamza for a crucial 86-run partnership for the tenth wicket.
“I’m over the moon,” Jamal told Fox Cricket during the innings break.
“Feeling proud to be representing my country at this level and performing for them.
“This is a wonderful achievement for me.
“I just back myself every time.”
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Jamal, who made his Test debut in Perth last month, has taken 18 wickets at 19.22 during the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, but he could have easily snared a few more if not for his clumsy teammates.
He has now dismissed every member of Australia’s team at least once in the series, while he may have unearthed a bunny in Travis Head. The South Australian has been dismissed by Jamal three times in the series to date, scoring just eight runs in 17 deliveries.
Australian captain Pat Cummins has also struggled to tame Jamal this summer, dismissed four times for eight runs in 20 deliveries.
Jamal became the second Pakistani cricketer to take a five-wicket haul and score a fifty during a Test match in Australia, joining the legendary Wasim Akram, who achieved the feat at Adelaide Oval in 1990. He also joins an illustrious list of touring players to score 125+ runs and take 15+ wickets in a three-Test series in Australia, alongside England all-rounder Ian Botham and Akram.
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