Amir gets surprise gift – from Kohli!

KOLKATA: It was like extending an olive branch. As Pakistan and India players trained here at Eden Gardens on Friday ahead of their marquee game of the World Twenty20 championship, Virat Kohli made a surprise gesture by gifting one of his bats to Mohammad Amir.

The friendly scene that grabbed the attention of the media was in stark contrast to the high-intensity showdown between Amir and India’s top-order in an Asia Cup match in Dhaka just before the ongoing World T20.

The left-arm Pakistan pacer spit fire in that game before an ice-cool Kohli guided India to victory in the low-scoring encounter.

Kohli took Amir by surprise as he handed over the prized bat to the pacer during a pre-match practice session.

The 23-year-old pacer has had to face stiff resistance from many quarters including his own teammates after serving a prison term and a five-year ban for spot-fixing in a Test match against England at Lord’s in 2010.

Kohli, 27, has however openly welcomed Amir’s return to the international fold.

“He is a very skilful bowler and I wish him all the best. He has worked hard to come this far and it takes a lot of courage,” Kohli had said ahead of the Asia Cup in Bangladesh.

Kohli, a firebrand batsman known to wear his heart on the sleeves, appeared cheerful Friday while having an animated chat with Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi.

Afridi hit the headlines in India and back home after speaking of the “love” he receives from Indian fans on arriving in Kolkata last week.