Under-25 cricketers from prominent Test nations who could be the next big superstars in world cricket

Pakistan – Mohammad Amir

Mohammad Amir has been a revelation for Pakistan since his return to international cricket in January

Modern cricket’s favourite poster boy and the one who has had a clandestine affair with destiny, Mohammad Amir, has been unfettered by whatever has transpired over the past six years, as his deliveries still have the potency to trouble even the best batsmen in the world. The 23-year-old, since his return to international cricket in January this year, hasn’t looked even a shade different from the 17-year-old who had made his debut for Pakistan and had taken the world by a storm in 2009.

51 wickets from 14 Tests at 29.09, 30 wickets from 17 ODIs at 22.23 and 34 wickets from 29 T20I at 22.23 speak amply of the left-arm fast bowler’s abilities, and if one looks at his performances in the Asia Cup T20 2016 (7 wickets from 4 matches) and the ICC World T20 2016 (3 wickets from 4 matches), one would find that his pace and swing have only become more lethal. Hence, when one of those three tainted Pakistani nationals – who felt the brunt for their deeds six years back during Pakistan’s last tour to England – makes his Test return on July 14 at Lord’s – the same ground where he kissed the dust all those years back – cricket would take giant strides towards a probable unprecedented era.