Aamir Jamal has well and truly announced himself on the international scene after continuing to star during Pakistan’s Test series against Australia.
Faced with the prospect of Mitch Marsh blasting the hosts into control of the third and final Test at the SCG, Jamal responded in style to spark a chaotic Aussie batting collapse as he claimed a six-wicket haul.
Aamir Jamal records: Pakistan bowler joins illustrious list after sparking Australian batting collapse
The Pakistanis have made a habit of remaining in the fight and sticking it to the Aussies throughout the tour, despite being unable to claim a drought-breaking victory.
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In the two previous matches, they have been beaten inside four days but that doesn’t tell the whole story with Pakistan repeatedly missing out on opportunities to pile serious pressure onto Australia.
One man who can’t be accused of doing this though is Jamal, who has enjoyed a breakthrough summer.
Jamal has taken 18 wickets at an average of 19.22, becoming the first bowler in the nation’s history to take 18 wickets or more during their debut series.
He has dismissed every player on the Australian team at least once. And seems to have particularly gotten the number of Pat Cummins, having removed the skipper on four separate occasions in just 20 balls.
Meanwhile, Travis Head hasn’t fared much better against the paceman with the South Australian making only eight runs in 17 deliveries faced, while being dismissed three times.
It’s not just with the ball in hand where Jamal has made a difference, as his 82-run knock in the first innings of the match showcased.
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His last wicket stand with Mir Hamza could yet prove to be decisive as they frustrated the Aussies while piling on 86 runs.
That knock, coupled with his six wickets on day three put him in illustrious company as he joined Imran Khan as the only Pakistani player in history to make a score of 80+ and take six wickets in the same match.
He also became the first Pakistan player to claim a five-wicket haul and score a half-century on Aussie soil during a Test match since Wasim Akram achieved the feat over three decades ago at the Adelaide Oval.
During his breath-taking spell after tea, where Jamal jagged the crucial wicket of Marsh before sparking an Aussie collapse which saw them lose their final four wickets for just 10 runs, he also got himself onto the SCG Honour’s Board.
His career-best figures of 6-69 becoming the fourth-best bowling performance by a Pakistani at the famous ground.
"I’m over the moon," Jamal told Fox Cricket after his display helped to swing the game in his side’s favour.
"I’m feeling proud to be representing my country at this level and performing for them."