Mohammad Amir 1st Pakistan bowler to pick up 5-wicket haul vs Australia in World Cup history

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LONDON: Mohammad Amir became the seventh Pakistan bowler to pick up a five-wicket haul in World Cup history when he came up with a fiery spell in their big-ticket clash against Australia in Taunton on Wednesday.

Amir joined an elite list of Pakistan bowlers, including Wasim Akram, Shahid Afridi, Saqlain Mushtaq, Abdul Qadir, Wahab Riaz and Sohail Khan but became the first to achieve the feat against Australia in a World Cup game.

Amir finished with his career-best figures of 5 for 30 and his maiden five-wicket haul as he led Pakistan’s fightback with the ball against Australia who were restricted to 307-all out in 49 overs after the defending champions raced to a strong start.

Amir had struggled for form in the lead up to World Cup 2019 but the left-arm pacer is on top the bowling charts with 10 wickets from 4 matches.View image on Twitter

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It’s game on at Taunton!
Australia looked set for a mammoth total thanks to David Warner’s century, but Mohammad Amir’s five-wicket haul sees the batting side bowled out for 307. #AUSvPAK

Amir made use of overcast conditions in Taunton to great effect even as his pace-bowling partners in Shaheen Shah Afridi and Wahab Riaz struggled for consistency against Australia openers David Warner and Aaron Finch.

Amir hit the right length and got the ball to move both ways to create some problems for Warner and Finch.

Amir broke the opening partnership in the 23rd over after Warner and Finch had added 146 runs. He sent Finch walking back with a slower one after Pakistan finally managed to hold on to one on the field.

Amir then returned to rip apart Australia’s middle order, picking up the wickets of Shaun Marsh (23), Usman Khawaja (18) and Alex Carey (20). Amir helped Pakistan bowl Australia out by picking up Mitchell Starc’s wicket in the final ball of his 10-over spell.

Australia were well set for 350-plus score but lost their last 8 wickets for just 84 runs, thanks to Amir’s spell with the relatively older ball in Taunton.

Amir’s form with the ball augurs well for Pakistan who face India in their next match on Sunday in Manchester.

Notably, Amir’s opening spell wherein he removed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma with 2 unplayable deliveries set up Pakistan’s big win over India in the final of ICC Champions Trophy 2017 in London in 2017.