100 wickets in back-to-back seasons is a rarity in schools’ cricket. St Peter’s College have produced outstanding players in the past and this year they produced a gem.
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For the first time in schools’ cricket’s prestigious history, left arm leg spinner Mohommad Miflal Ameen has gone on to take 100 wickets in back-to-back seasons to open a new page in the history books. We managed to get a hold of him during the week, below are the excepts from the interview.
100 wickets in back-to-back seasons. How does that feel?
It’s really pleasing to have a result for all the hard work I did. Last season I took 104 wickets in 21 matches but this time I’m at 105 wickets in 19 matches with 5 five wicket hauls and 3 ten wicket hauls. Actually, it’s very proud moment for me to become the first Peterite to achieve this.
What are the factors behind your success?
I always try to stick to the basics. Do the basics right and not think about the opposition or think too much about what I must do. I know what I’m capable of so as long as I stick to my capabilities and be patient I believe things will go well.
This year you had an extra responsibility of captaincy due to the absence of Santhush Gunathilake. How did it affect your game?
It actually helped my bowling because before Santhush left on the tour I played 8 matches and managed only 32 wickets but after I was appointed as captain, I captained 10 matches and in those matches I managed to take 63 wickets, so there was a remarkable improvement in my bowling figures. I had a lot of support when it came to decision making on the field with wicket keeper Shalith Fernando, Ranmith Jayasena helping me through the season.
Tell us a bit about the beginning of your time playing cricket?
I started off as medium pacer back when I was playing U13 cricket. But my coach back then, Charith sir, told me to switch to spin and it worked out well for me. My first year of U17 I played in Division II and my second year I played at Division I but I wasn’t successful enough to get the call-up to the 1st XI team. I got the call from Malinda Sir after doing well at a U19 practice game and I didn’t look back from that.
You managed to get 100 wickets in your first U19 season. Did you have a target of reaching the magical three figures?
Since it was my first year I didn’t have too many goals in my mind. I just wanted to do something for the team, but I guess I was fortunate enough to take 100 wickets in my first year and I still remember that moment. Coming into this year I had a target in my mind but like I mentioned earlier I wasn’t that successful in the first few matches. It started clicking well for me from the beginning of the first term matches.
Speaking of last year, even though you took 100 wickets, you weren’t successful at the Big match. This year too you have taken 100 wickets, how do you intend on changing things around in this year’s Battle of the Saints?
Yes, definitely it would be a proud moment for me if I could win the game for my school. It would actually be better than taking 100 wickets. I was really disappointed when I couldn’t get one single wicket in the first innings of the big match. But I hope to do my basics right this year, be patient and hope for better outcome.
What is the next target for you? 100 wickets in first class cricket?
I most certainly hope so but I’m just going to go on with my game, take whatever comes my way and keep doing the hard work, the training and keep grinding it out in the middle whenever I get an opportunity.
Any advice you would like to give to your juniors?
Always make sure your mind is strong. That is what I did right through, I did not do anything extravagant. I always believed in myself and I always told myself that I can do it. So always make sure you keep your head strong and everything will fall into place.
What do you think is the strongest aspect in your bowling?
I have an advantage due to my height as a spinner, but I don’t think just by being tall you can take wickets. It all depends on your work ethic and your mindset. If you can showcase your capabilities out in the middle that’s all you need.
I’m pretty sure you have a lengthy list of people to thank. Here is your chance.
First of all, I would like to thank my parents for supporting me throughout my career and especially my bowling coach Krishantha Pieris. Him being a left armer, he was always behind me, backing me up always. Even though I wasn’t getting many wickets early on he always believed in me and always motivated me. Also, my head coach Malinda sir who supported me through everything and all the other coaches, Sampath Sir, Chanaka Sir, Manuka Sir and all my teammates especially the captain Santhush Gunathilake and wicket keeper Shalith Fernando and Ranmith Jayasena.
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We also took the time to speak a few words to the man behind the scenes. The bowling coach and a proud old boy who played 1st XI cricket for St Peter’s from 1995-2000 and who led his team to victory in the 25th limited over encounter, Chrishantha Pieris better known as “Peera”. Here are the excepts.
100 wickets in consecutive seasons for Ameen. As a left arm spinner yourself, how do you feel about this achievement?
It is without a doubt a great achievement for Ameen. Getting 100 wickets in two consecutive seasons is not something you see every year. The alarming fact is that he has not been a prominent left arm spinner in his early career so coming into the 1st XI arena last year and taking 100 wickets in his fresher season is a major achievement for him. Luckily, I was a part of the coaching staff last year, it was my first year as bowling coach here at St Peter’s College. I was privileged enough to guide him last year when he took 104 wickets and he kept working hard and showing good commitment towards the game which helped him repeat his success this year on a much greater scale.
As the bowling coach, what do you see as his biggest strength?
His biggest strength is his commitment towards his game and he is fantastic team player. I think when you put your team first, it becomes very easy to do your job also.
St Peter’s have been known to produce good spinners. What is the secret behind that?
I think it’s a lot to with the commitment towards the school which these players have. The love and passion for St Peter’s College cricket, I think that’s the main reason. The coaches have done a tremendous job during the years and this year Malinda, Myself and Manuka have all got together and helped these youngsters do well.
With the 84th Battle of the Saints set to commence on the 2nd of March 2018, Miflal will be licking his lips at the prospect of going up against St. Peter’s arch rivals St Joseph’s College at the P Sara Oval Grounds. Both the two-day encounter and the one-day encounter will be telecast live on Dialog TV Channel No.1, live-streamed on www.ThePapare.com and on the Mobile TV streaming platform My TV.
WATCH LIVE: St. Joseph’s College vs St. Peter’s College – 84th Battle of the Saints
