Pakistan pace spearhead Mohammad Amir has been reportedly taken to a hospital for an MRI scan after he limped off the field during second day’s play in the ongoing second Test against Sri Lanka in Dubai.
The left-arm pacer, who had bowled 16.3 overs on the first day, could bowl only three overs on the second day before leaving the field. According to Cricbuzz, a PCB spokesman has confirmed the pacer was later taken to a hospital. The 25-year old had also hurt his right shin on the opening day of the match and had returned to the dressing room for treatment after bowling just three deliveries of his 17th over.
Amir, meanwhile, has looked off-colour in the series. He went wicketless in the first Test at Abu Dhabi, and although he managed to pick up a wicket in the ongoing game, he looked far from his best. However, he was defended by Pakistan’s fast-bowling coach Azhar Mahmood after the opening day’s play.
“He is a very talented guy and he is a wicket-taking bowler. Unfortunately when you play all three formats and too much one-day cricket, your length is shorter than fuller,” Azhar had said.
“You see guys who only play Test cricket like Vernon Philander and Kyle Abbott, they bowl fuller. But those who play all three versions have shorter lengths. Amir played county cricket so I wanted him to bowl fuller and when he does that he is more threatening. I think he bowled short but with the new ball he bowled superbly. Once he bowls fuller then it swings,” he had added.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka finished their first innings on 482. Dimuth Karunaratne led the visitors with the bat, scoring 196 while Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella and Dilruwan Perera scored vital half-centuries.