Champions Trophy: Mohammad Amir Picks Dismissing Tendulkar as Most Special Moment, Labels Kohli The Greatest

Add as a preferred source on Google

Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir has recalled his dismissal of Indian batting icons Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli in previous Champions Trophy clashes between the arch-rvials, highlight how crucial the wickets were at the stage.

The Pakistan quick, who recently announced his retirement, had an engaging conversation on the Cricket Predicta Show, where he recounted the highlights of his cricket career, including the memorable experiences of bowling to cricket legend Tendulkar before labelling Kohli as the best of the current generation.

'Dismissing Tendulkar My Most Special Moment'

In a recent Cricket Predicta Show with its founder Sunil Yash Kalra, Amir vividly remembered his encounter with Tendulkar during the 2009 Champions Trophy in South Africa, marking it as a pivotal moment in his cricket journey.

Despite it being their only face-off, Amir succeeded in dismissing the cricket maestro, an achievement that left him in disbelief for days. He admired Tendulkar's mastery over cricket from a young age, watching him play on television and dreaming of the day he would compete against him.

"Dismissing Sachin Tendulkar was the most special moment for me. I bowled to him only once in my life during the 2009 Champions Trophy, which was held in South Africa, and dismissed him while playing against India. I had seen him play cricket on TV and always used to think about how brilliant a batsman Sachin was," Amir said on the Cricker Predicta Show.

Amir dismissed Tendulkar for 8 as India looked to chase 303 against Pakistan in a group stage match of the 2009 Champions Trophy in Centurion. Tendulkar was forced into edging one to wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, leaving India at 24/1 in 4.1 overs before they were bundled out for 248.

The sensation of bowling to Tendulkar was overwhelming for Amir, who was then a newcomer to international cricket. He described the nervous anticipation he felt when given the ball to bowl against Tendulkar, akin to the awe he experienced upon meeting cricket legend Wasim Akram for the first time.

"Bowling to Sachin Tendulkar was a big thing for me. For three days after his dismissal, I was not in my senses; I could not believe I had taken Sachin Paaji's wicket. I was new to cricket and he (Sachin Tendulkar) was the kind of player who had a deep understanding of every aspect of the game," Amir added.

"When the captain handed me the ball, my heart was pounding. I took a deep breath and bowled to him. My condition was exactly like when I met Wasim Akram for the first time."

Tendulkar's deep understanding of the game made the moment even more significant for Amir, who cherishes the memory of that dismissal as a career highlight.

'I laugh when Kohli is compared to Babar, Smith or Root'

Amir expressed immense respect for Virat Kohli, referring to him as the greatest batsman of the current generation and viewed the comparisons between Kohli and other contemporary cricketers like Babar Azam, Steve Smith, or Joe Root as laughable, emphasizing Kohli's unparalleled contributions to Indian cricket across all formats.

"Virat Kohli is the greatest player of this generation. I laugh when comparisons are made between him and Babar Azam, Steve Smith, or Joe Root. We cannot compare Virat Kohli to anyone because he has won so many matches for India, which seems impossible for any one player. Not just in one format, but in all three formats, Virat is the greatest batsman of this generation," Amir said.

Admiring Kohli's dedication and work ethic, the former fast bowler lauded star Indian batter's remarkable comeback following a tough phase in England in 2014, praising his decade-long consistency and performance as extraordinary.

"Virat Kohli's work ethic sets him apart from all players. After his bad phase in England in 2014, the way he made a comeback and then consistently performed brilliantly for the next 10 years was no ordinary feat," added the former Pakistan pacer.

Amir also highlighted the crucial role Kohli's wicket played in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, which Pakistan won. He acknowledged the challenge they would have faced had Kohli not been dismissed early, given Kohli's exceptional track record in chasing runs.

"His wicket in the 2017 Champions Trophy final was very important for us, which helped us win the final. If Virat had not been dismissed, we would have lost the final because we all know how exceptional Virat's record is while chasing runs," Amir concluded.

In conclusion, Mohammad Amir's insights into his encounters with Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli reveal not only the profound respect he has for these icons but also the significant moments that defined his cricketing career. His recollections serve as a testament to the impact these legends have had on the sport and the players who follow in their footsteps.