A Critical Look at Aamer Jamal's Debut Tour
Opinion - Muhammad Waqas
Aamer Jamal’s arrival on the Test scene for Pakistan in Australia
was a sight to behold. His 18 wickets in three matches is a remarkable feat for
a debutant, understandably generated excitement.
While Jamal’s temperament and game awareness are undeniable assets, but a close look at his bowling raises concerns. Playing in Australia, known for
its fast and bouncy pitches, one expects a genuine Test bowler to thrive. However,
beneath the surface, questions linger about his long-term suitability for the
red-ball format.
Firstly, Economy rate, a key measure of a bowler’s control, is a
case in point. Aamer’s tour economy of 4.09 is high for a pacer, especially in
Australia. However, a high economy rate does not automatically disqualify a bowler
from Test Cricket. Here, it is crucial to consider the “how” behind the
numbers. Were conceded runs part of a well-defined strategy, or were random
sprays of deliveries offering little control?
Many of the runs conceded by Jamal seemed to be outside his control,
suggesting a need for accuracy. This is further emphasized by the fact that his
first wicket in the first Test came after Australia had already scored 300 plus runs. In
his debut match, Aamer managed to get six wickets along with conceding 111 runs
in just 20.2 overs. Moreover, his bowling throughout the series often included
periods where he leaked runs without much threat.
Secondly, nearly half of his wickets (9 out of 18) were tailender,
including the likes of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazelwood, Nathan Lyon, and Mitchell
Starc. Aamir’s inability to consistently take down top-order batters generates suspicion
about his penetration skills. This pattern continued throughout the series. In
the second Test, three of his five wickets were tailenders, including
dismissing Cummins twice. However, his economy improved in the third Test
(3.60).
Jamal’s inability to consistently swing the ball, especially away from the right-handed batters, is another potential limitation. His inability to create swing with tight line and lengths raises doubts about his effectiveness on less helpful pitches. Nonetheless, Jamal’s pace is good, he has just need to be little more consistent with deliveries 140+ kph.
Aamer Jamal’s debut tour displayed both promise and areas for improvement. His batting prowess certainly adds a valuable dimension to his skillset. However, for a long and successful Test career, his bowling remains paramount. Developing accuracy and swing are crucial.
While there is time for improvement, the question remains: Can Aamer Jamal address these limitations and become mainstay in Pakistan’s Test bowling Attack? Only time will tell.
Perhaps, his future lies in white-ball cricket. Combining his batting with a few variations particularly in T20s could make him a valuable all-rounder for Pakistan.
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