In an interview with PakPassion.net, Mohammad Amir talks about the proposed changes by the ICC which may allow him to play domestic cricket before the end of his ban.

By Amir Husain (25th March, 2014)

Seldom has a young talent in the world of cricket inspired so much praise at the start of his career than a young Pakistani left-arm fast bowler, hailing from Gujjar Khan in Punjab. Making his international debut at the age of 17 in 2009 at the World Twenty20 in England, the name Mohammad Amir soon became a subject of tall predictions of future greatness.

However it all turned sour on 28th August 2010 when the 18 year old precocious talent from Pakistan, who had thus far taken 51 wickets in just 14 Test matches along with 25 one day international and 23 T20I wickets in 15 and 18 matches respectively, was implicated in a corruption scandal which put his nascent career on an indefinite hold. He and two other Pakistani players – Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif – were indicted by courts of law and then banned from playing all forms of cricket for five years by the International Cricket Council.

As the 21 year old fast bowler looks ahead to the end of his ban, due for completion on 2nd September 2015, a much wiser and seemingly penitent Mohammad Amir is looking forward to a return to playing the game that he loves. His hopes of a quicker return to the cricket field would have been further enhanced by the news of amendments to the rules concerning banned cricketers being considered by the ICC, which would allow him to play domestic or club cricket before his ban ends and he is understandably excited about this latest development.

“If the amendment that is being discussed comes into force, that will be excellent news” said Amir in an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net “It would be fantastic if I could have the opportunity to train and perhaps play some cricket before my ban ends in September next year. I'd be very appreciative of the ICC if they could make this amendment. To have that opportunity to re-launch my career a few months ahead of the ban could make a huge difference to me. It's a massive boost for me to hear this potential piece of good news” added the young bowler who was once tipped to be the rightful heir to the legacy of one of the world’s greatest left-arm bowlers, Wasim Akram.

From the lofty heights of being one of Pakistan’s brightest hopes to the humiliation of being incarcerated at a Young Offenders prison, Mohammad Amir has seen it all. Whilst the praise showered on him in his early days would have probably made him blush, the vitriol heaped on Amir by shocked fans and experts alike would have disheartened anyone in his position. It is therefore understandable that the Pakistan Cricket Board’s support for Amir has been a source of great comfort to him – a fact that Amir acknowledges unreservedly stating “I'm very grateful to the Pakistan Cricket Board for putting my case forward. I'm particularly grateful to PCB Chairman Najam Sethi for his efforts and I hope that their efforts on my behalf will continue.” 

Whilst Amir understands the tremendous support of the PCB in their attempts to rehabilitate and restore him to his former status as an international player representing Pakistan, he is also under no illusion about the strength of feelings of the key stakeholders of Pakistani cricket, namely the fans. He appears determined to make things right and is hoping to take all steps needed to ensure that he is able to return to his previous form as and when the opportunity presents itself. 

"I have full faith in my ability to come back and be the player I was for Pakistan before my ban. My start to international cricket was incredible; in fact at times it was unbelievable! I know that I will have to re-launch my career after such a long time away from cricket but I know I can do it. Fans and media alike will have to be patient though as it may take a few games to find my feet, but I'm confident that I will be the same Mohammad Amir that I was before."

Although Amir may have the mental will to redeem himself in the eyes of the fans and to reinstate his form to what made him so special until that summer’s day in 2010 at Lords, the question on the minds of most fans will be centred around his fitness and technical skills. A period of five years without any form of cricket does place serious doubts on his match fitness and ability to perform on the field, but a determined Amir is in no mood for compromise here, “As far as fitness is concerned, I don't think that will be a problem. I'm probably stronger now than I was when I was banned. I've continued to train at home and keep my fitness levels up. I feel that the technical aspects of my game will come back soon after I've played some first class cricket and club cricket.”

On 28th August 2010, the world woke up to the images of Mohammad Amir deliberately bowling no-balls for financial gain – a sight that many will never forget and will find difficult to forgive. Apart from the fans, there will be many amongst the player community who will be upset at his return to a game that they feel was soiled forever by the actions of Amir and his companions. How the opposing teams and fans will react to another no-ball by Amir in the future is a quandary that will only be resolved with the passage of time but for the young talent, there is only determination to return to the passion in his life as he expresses so eloquently “After being away from cricket for five years it will be a strange feeling walking on to a cricket field once again. I think the difficulty will be regarding the mental side of the game and to be mentally ready for the rigours of international cricket. I'm going to have to ensure that I do my utmost to prepare myself for my return” he concludes.

Given Pakistan's dwindling and at times, insufficient, fast bowling resources, it is no surprise that for many admirers of the left-arm bowler, Amir's return to cricket is a necessity that the PCB can ill afford to miss. Whether the world will see, or indeed accept, Mohammad Amir in a Pakistani shirt and enjoy his talent without a feeling of Déjà Vu is something only time will tell. For the moment, all eyes remain focused on 2nd September 2015.

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