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'People Were Pushing Me To..'- Aamer Jamal Reflects On Past Struggles After Memorable Test Debut

image-lqahqgj8 Aamer Jamal picks 7 wickets in this debut test match against Australia(x.com)

In a brilliant debut showcasing unwavering perseverance, Pakistan's pacer Aamer Jamal made a formidable mark in his first Test. Despite rejection and setbacks, the 27-year-old defied the odds with a remarkable 7-wicket haul, featuring a stellar 6-wicket performance in the opening innings.

In an exclusive interview with Alison Mitchell, shared by 7cricket on social media, Jamal reflected on the struggles he faced in pursuit of his dream to represent Pakistan. Recounting the times when doubters urged him to abandon his cricketing aspirations, he shared, 

"Lots of people were pushing me to stop playing cricket and (saying) 'there's no hope'. I said 'No, there is always hope'. You have to go for it, You have to work hard for it. You have to work harder than others."

Jamal faced numerous challenges on his path to success, enduring multiple rejections from the Pakistan U23 squad. 

Undaunted, he showcased his cricketing skills in Sydney, juggling the game with a taxi-driving job to make a living. Unyielding in the face of financial struggles and sceptics, he remained resolute in proving his value.

"Yes, I played Pakistan U19, and I couldn't make it to first-class cricket for 4 years. I decided to move to Australia to play a couple of games here. I played for Hawkesbury in Sydney in the New South Wales Premier League. I played 4 or 5 months here. And then I heard the Pakistan U23 tour is going to happen. I wanted to go there and represent my country again. I went back to Pakistan, and didn't get a chance in the U23 team," Jamal recounted.

Facing financial constraints, Jamal even resorted to driving a taxi to sustain his passion for cricket. He acknowledged the difficulty of managing time for practice but remained steadfast in keeping his dream alive.

Jamal's cricketing odyssey began in the fields of Mianwali, where he showcased his talent in inter-region Under-19 tournaments. Despite early promise, setbacks in the U19 series against Afghanistan led to a period of obscurity in domestic cricket's lower tiers. However, his persistence paid off with a first-class debut in 2018 for Pakistan Television, where he picked up 17 wickets at an average of 28.82.

His sensational 6-wicket haul in the debut Test included dismissing cricket giants like David Warner, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Australian captain Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon. Despite his outstanding performance, Australia secured victory by a margin of 360 runs.

With the second Test scheduled for December 26 at Melbourne, all eyes are now on the young fast bowler. As Pakistan aims to level the series, Aamer Jamal has the chance to duplicate his remarkable debut and further establish himself as a rising star in Pakistan's formidable pace bowling tradition.