IND vs PAK: Watch - Mohammad Amir narrates the unheard tale of how he got Virat Kohli's bat as a gift

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will be locking horns against each other in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 on Sunday (June 9). The highly-awaited match is scheduled to take place at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

Both teams will be playing against each other for the first time this year. They last faced each other in the ODI World Cup last year. India and Pakistan have started their campaign in contrasting fashion. India got off to a winning start after coming up with a clinical performance against Ireland.

The Rohit Sharma-led side won the game by eight wickets after bowling out the Irish outfit for just 96 runs. On the other hand, Pakistan suffered a shock defeat at the hands of co-hosts USA on Thursday (June 6). Asked to bat first, Pakistan recovered from 26 for 3 and posted a competitive total of 159/7.

In reply, USA started well with the bat and crossed the 100-run mark by losing just one wicket. Pakistan's bowlers then did well to pick up a couple of wickets and put a brake on the scoring rate. In the end, USA ended on 159 runs as well and the game was eventually decided by the Super Over. USA scored 18 runs in the over before restricting Pakistan to 13.

Mohammad Amir reveals the story of Virat Kohli's bat:

The onus was on left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir to restrict USA to a low score in the Super Over. The left-arm pacer had done well in the game, conceding only 25 runs while taking a wicket as well in his four overs. However, he failed to impress in the Super Over and eventually conceded 18 runs.

Amir will now be looking to make amends in the forthcoming game against India. And ahead of the game, he has opened up on the gift he had received from Virat Kohli in 2016. Amir was just returning to international cricket after serving the spot-fixing ban and the India superstar came up with a heartwarming gesture for him.

Before the T20 World Cup game between India and Pakistan at the Eden Gardens, Kohli had gifted Amir a bat. Recalling the incident, Amir revealed how he managed to get hold of the prized possession. Speaking to Star Sports, the Pakistan star said:

"This story of the bat started in Bangladesh. When the Asia Cup matches were going on, Imad Wasim and I were walking in the gallery and Virat was coming from the other side.

"Imad was checking Virat's bat. So I said, 'Forget about Imad, man, I want the bat.' Then Kohli said, 'I promise, when you come to India for the World Cup, I will gift you the bat there'," he added.

 

Mohammad Amir talking about the bat which was promised by Virat Kohli to him. 🐐pic.twitter.com/b0Cxn1QIgd

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 7, 2024