Amir confident of being fit for final

AFP, LONDON: Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir believes he is “fast gaining fitness” ahead of the Champions Trophy final against arch-rivals India.
The 25-year-old left-armer missed Pakistan’s shock eight-wicket semi-final win over tournament hosts England in Cardiff on Wednesday with a back spasm. But after bowling in the nets at the Oval — the venue for Sunday’s final — on Friday, Amir told AFP: “I am fast gaining fitness.
“I bowled in the nets and felt no discomfort and since we have one more day (to prepare) I hope the recovery will be complete,” explained Amir, who took none for 32 in Pakistan’s 124-run defeat by India in the teams’ tournament opener at Edgbaston on June 4.
“I look forward to playing as it’s a big occasion,” added Amir, now firmly back in the international fold after his career was halted by a ban and jail sentence for his part in a 2010 spot-fixing scam during a Test against England at Lord’s.
Amir, who took two wickets, including that of all-time batting great Sachin Tendulkar, when Pakistan beat India at Centurion in the 2009 Champions Trophy, starred with both bat and ball in the virtual quarter-final victory over Sri Lanka in Cardiff on Monday.
He took two for 53 in 10 overs as Sri Lanka were held to 236 and then made an unbeaten 28 as he and Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed (61 not out) steered their side to a tense three-wicket win with an unbroken stand of 75.

Amir confident of being fit for final

AFP, LONDON: Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir believes he is fast gaining fitness ahead of the Champions Trophy final against arch-rivals India. The 25-year-old left-armer missed Pakistans shock eight-wicket semi-final win over tournament hosts England in Cardiff on Wednesday with a back spasm. But after bowling in the nets at the Oval the venue for Sundays final on Friday, Amir told AFP: I am fast gaining fitness. I bowled in the nets and felt no discomfort and since we have one more day (to prepare) I hope the recovery will be complete, explained Amir, who took none for 32 in Pakistans 124-run defeat by India in the teams tournament opener at Edgbaston on June 4. I look forward to playing as its a big occasion, added Amir, now firmly back in the international fold after his career was halted by a ban and jail sentence for his part in a 2010 spot-fixing scam during a Test against England at Lords. Amir, who took two wickets, including that of all-time batting great Sachin Tendulkar, when Pakistan beat India at Centurion in the 2009 Champions Trophy, starred with both bat and ball in the virtual quarter-final victory over Sri Lanka in Cardiff on Monday. He took two for 53 in 10 overs as Sri Lanka were held to 236 and then made an unbeaten 28 as he and Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed (61 not out) steered their side to a tense three-wicket win with an unbroken stand of 75.