Champions Trophy 2017 | Mohammad Amir expected to be fit for the final

Mohammad Amir went through a gruelling training session in London today to prove that he is fit enough to feature in the all-important final of the 2017 Champions Trophy against India.The left-arm pacer missed out on the semi-final against England and was replaced by Rumman Raees who stepped up to the occasion and ended his debut match with figures of 2/44 from the nine overs he bowled that helped Pakistan restrict England to a modest total of 211.

Azhar Mahmood, Pakistan's bowling coach, said that Amir was fit but still undecided whether the bowler would play on Sunday. "Amir bowled today. Amir is fit. We have not decided about (playing him)," Mahmood said on Friday.

Amir has not fired yet in the tournament with returns of 2/135 from the three games that he has played. However, the left-arm pacer will surely start the game against India if he is match fit which would force coach Mickey Arthur and skipper Sarfraz Ahmed to ponder on Amir's replacement which could be the new kid on the block Rumman Raees or 18-year old Shadab Khan if Pakistan choose to play with a pace-heavy lineup.

But Mahmood pointed out that if Amir were to sit out, it would not be a big issue for Pakistan. "We have the bench strength. Last match when Amir was not there people were worried about our main strike bowler not playing. But the way Rumman Raees came in and bowled, it showed we have the bench strength. We have guys who have such skill and such an ability that they can perform on any stage. It is just a matter of self-belief and confidence. I think anyone can replace anyone."

"Let us see who is going to play - Rumman Raees or Amir. Doesn't matter. He is a quality bowler as well. And he showed in the semi-finals on a big stage he can do the job for us. So it is a good sign for us, guys can replace other guys."