Mohammad Amir T10 masterclass proves age is no barrier at 33

Even at age 33, no one still comes close to this fast bowler. The Mohammad Amir T10 masterclass was the latest reminder.

Mohammad Amir announced his return to competitive cricket in emphatic style on Saturday and at 33 he reminded everyone why the old fear of his new ball still gives the best batsmen sleepless nights. Wearing the Quetta Qavalry captain’s armband in the Abu Dhabi T10, Amir produced a two-over masterclass (4–16) to blow the UAE Bulls away, removing Tom Moores for a duck, trapping Kieron Pollard lbw, and then accounting for Tim David and Iftikhar Ahmed in a breathtaking spell that turned a promising chase into a procession.

The context made the performance even sweeter. Amir had missed Quetta’s opening ties after travelling hiccups, the franchise confirmed he was delayed by visa formalities and joined the squad only after those issues were cleared and there were fresh questions about his match fitness after a period on the sidelines. Against a Bulls batting line-up that included power-hitters like Phil Salt, Rovman Powell, Tim David and Kieron Pollard, Amir not only silenced skeptics but wrested control of the game within eight balls.

How the spell unfolded

Amir opened the attack and struck early, Tom Moores was beaten through the gate and bowled for a two-ball duck, a sign that the ball was reversing late and landing in dangerous areas. The same over produced the first signs of panic in the Bulls’ middle order. Amir returned later in the innings and, in the space of four deliveries late in the 8th over, removed Pollard (lbw), Tim David (caught) and Iftikhar Ahmed (caught) to finish with four key wickets and virtually bury the Bulls’ hopes of setting a competitive T10 total. The Bulls were all out for 109; Quetta chased it down in 8.2 overs, winning by nine wickets.

Why this matters? An old skillset, freshly sharp

T10 cricket demands pace and imagination, but the very shortest formats still reward ball control, late movement and the ability to execute under pressure — traits Amir has possessed since his teenage days. At 33, his pace may not always rattle the radar like a raw 20-year-old, yet his control of length, late seam and the art of bowling the exact delivery when wickets are needed make him uniquely dangerous. Saturday underlined that experience and craft can still trump raw power in crunch moments.

Stat lines and immediate impact

• Figures: 2 overs, 4 wickets, 16 runs. Player of the Match.

• Key victims: Tom Moores (bowled, 0), Kieron Pollard (lbw, 1), Tim David (caught, 31), Iftikhar Ahmed (caught, 1).

• Team result: Quetta Qavalry chased 110 and finished 111/1 in 8.2 overs to seal a nine-wicket victory.

Big-picture takeaway

This was more than a highlight-reel spell; it was a reminder that pace bowling is multi-dimensional. Amir’s return from a brief absence and the manner in which he led from the front as captain will give Quetta Qavalry immediate momentum in the Abu Dhabi T10 and poses a timely question to opponents: how do you plan against someone who can still swing the game with two overs? For fans of old-school left-arm seamers, Saturday was a small celebration and for young quicks, a lesson in longevity: skill, discipline and the knack for executing at the right moment extend careers in ways raw speed alone cannot.