PAK vs ENG: Aamer Jamal reflects on his last over heroics

Jamal celebrating with his teammates. (PC- Twitter)

In his maiden international appearance for Pakistan, Aamer Jamal starred for his team with the ball as he maintained his composure in the final over and helped Pakistan eclipse England by six runs in the fifth T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Wednesday (September 28).

England's stand-in skipper Moeen Ali smashed a brilliant undefeated 37-ball 51, with four sixes and two fours, but failed to score the 15 needed off the final over as England managed 139-7.

Bowling the all-important last over against a well-set Moeen Ali, Jamal kept his cool despite being hit for a six off the third ball, conceding just eight to give Pakistan a 3-2 lead in the seven-match series.

Speaking after the last over thriller in Lahore, Jamal credited skipper Babar Azam for giving him the luxury to set his field in the 20th over of the fifth T20I.

"I am delighted to perform at this stage. Babar (Azam) Bhai supported me in my plans to bowl wide yorkers and he told me to stick to it even if I end up bowling wides and (Babar) gave me the required fielding. The pressure was only on the first ball and after that, I didn't feel any pressure," 

Dew made it difficult: Jamal

Dew settled in the second innings and made life difficult for the bowlers. Jamal also mentioned how it was hard to grip the ball in the conditions but he backed himself to execute his plans.

"I bowled a wide because the ball was very wet due to the dew and it was difficult to grip...that is why I got hit for a six too because the ball slipped from my hand and that's when Babar came up to me and said I can do this and reminded me that I have bowled well in the over and I can deliver...that gave me a lot of confidence. We got hit for a six in the second last over and I was planning what I will do in the last over and how can I help Pakistan win. I tried to control my nerves and definitely at this stage, given Haris Rauf is more experienced, I made my mind to step up and I tried to execute my plans with a big heart,"

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