Pakistan’s Mohammed Amir says he almost gave up cricket after being hit with a five-year ban for spot-fixing, but the paceman is now fired up to take wickets and repair his reputation.
Promising start
The left-arm quick, along with new-ball partner Mohammed Asif and Pakistan’s captain Salman Butt, were banned for delivering pre-arranged no-balls in return for money during the Lord’s Test against England in 2010. At the time of his ban, Amir was one of the best bowlers in international cricket, having taken 51 wickets in Tests, 25 in one-day internationals and 23 in Twenty20 matches.
RELATED:
Gallery: Lahore braces for return of international cricket to Pakistan — in pictures
Team news: Saeed Ajmal left out from Pakistan Twenty20 side for Zimbabwe series
Preview: Massive security presence in Lahore as Pakistan hope to refocus attention on cricket's return
Relax on ban
The International Cricket Council relaxed Amir’s penalty in January after the Pakistan Cricket Board requested he be allowed to play domestic cricket before the ban officially expires in September. Since the ban was relaxed Amir has been playing in the Patron’s Trophy in Pakistan, which is one level below first-class, and has been taking wickets.
Comeback one step at a time
His manager Syed Noman Nazir told the Cricket Australia website teams were trying to lure him to play in Australia’s Big Bash League, but Amir’s “preference will be to feature in Pakistan’s first-class tournament starting this September”. Amir said he is aiming for a gradual return to international cricket, potentially focusing on a place in the Pakistan Test side for a potential series to be played against India in the UAE in December.
‘Tough last four years’
During his long hiatus, Amir said that he thought about giving up cricket but his coach Asif Bajwa convinced him to stay focused on the game. “I don’t have words to explain how tough the last four years were for me. It is not easy when your bread and butter is stopped and you have no other income,” he said. “To be honest, yes, there were a few moments when I had lost hope, when I couldn’t see anything coming my way.”
Reputation first
Now he is in the groove again, Amir said his immediate task was to improve his fitness and retrieve his reputation, but he conceded not everyone would be happy to see him back. “No doubt I will have detractors,” he said. “Everyone has their own way of thinking. As a cricketer my job is to perform on the field.”
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @NatSportUAE