The operations of the technology-powered modern world are a wonder to so many. People often see a person popping onto their mobile or TV screen out of nowhere and grabbing the spotlight. At first sight, Aamer Jamal might seem like such a guy, but truth be told, he is the furthest guy from it.
Born in Mianwali in July 1996, Jamal made his professional debut in 2013 with the departmental and regional U-19 team in Rawalpindi. However, he had to add a taxi-driving business to his life to provide for his family.
But in 2017, his job as a bricklayer led him to the journey of a lifetime—South Windsor, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. There, Aamer Jamal met his Hawkesbury teammate, roommate, and friend for life, Pat Lawrence.
Lawrence describes Jamal as shy yet a quick learner, friendly, and a great cook. Jamal would also rub shoulders with future Australia captain Pat Cummins, who was representing the Penrith club.
Jamal moved on to his first-class debut for Pakistan Television in the 2018-19 Quaid-e-Azam trophy against Multan in Multan where he scored a golden duck but bounced back with the ball to take 4/28. His match aggregate of 6/102 was sadly not enough as Multan held on to a draw with just 1 wicket in hand.
A year later, Aamer Jamal was lighting up the ECB Yorkshire South Premier League as he took 5-45 on his debut for Doncaster Town against Tickhill at Towns Fields in a 21-run win. Soon Jamal became a part of the ‘Northern’ squad in Pakistan’s domestic system and by 2022, he had already made his T20 debut (2021), T20I debut and PSL Debut(Peshawar Zalmi).
Despite all the great adulation of defending 15 on the last over against England in a T20 and all, the biggest moment in Jamal’s cricket career was the moment he made it to the Pakistan test squad for the Australian tour 2023-24 in the absence of Naseem Shah.
As the spiritual leader of the attack, despite the initial stick, Jamal took the reins and got 6/111 on his test debut, dismissing Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey. Although the game ended horribly for Pakistan who succumbed to a 360-run defeat but Jamal ended with 7/139 on his debut. His 5 wickets in the game at Melbourne and useful 33 off 80 sadly fell short again.
On Jan 3rd 2024, He stepped foot in SCG, in his adopted home of Sydney in front of his long-term friend Pat and his brother Chris, putting on his career-best 82 with the bat and 6/69 with the ball. Which earned him a Player of the Match award. He ended the series with 143 runs and 18 wickets with the ball, only behind his Penrith rival Cummins.
His fearless hitting with bat and bowling with pace and accuracy made him the talk of the town. SCG, Where almost every other Pakistani player was at sea, Jamal felt at home.
While his true homecoming against Bangladesh was halted by a back issue, he is now ready to return to test cricket at Multan, the venue of his FC debut on October 7th 2024, for his true homecoming possibly as the leader of the Pakistan bowling attack yet again after years of playing everywhere but Pakistan.
About the Author:Â Aman Patel, A long-term viewer and student of the game. Specialises in cricket from the 2000s.
Listen to Latest Podcast
📢 For the latest Sports news, videos and analysis join ProPakistani's WhatsApp Group now!
Follow ProPakistani on Google News & scroll through your favourite content faster!
Support independent journalism
If you want to join us in our mission to share independent, global journalism to the world, we’d love to have you on our side. If you can, please support us on a monthly basis. It takes less than a minute to set up, and you can rest assured that you’re making a big impact every single month in support of open, independent journalism. Thank you.