Abu Dhabi: Mohammad Amir, the disgraced Pakistan fast bowler, can perform the ultimate act of redemption by inspiring his country to World Twenty20 success in India next March.
That’s the view of Pakistan bowling legend Shoaib Akhtar, who implored people to “help the child” following Amir’s controversial return to cricket.
Amir has not played for Pakistan since the 2010 Lord’s Test against England when, aged 18, he was part of a spot-fixing scam that saw him, his fellow seamer Mohammad Asif and the then captain Salman Butt banned by the International Cricket Council and serve time in prison.
The youngest bowler to reach 50 Test wickets before his suspension, Amir returned to competitive cricket in Pakistan in March and has been one of the standout players for Chittagong Vikings in the Bangladesh Premier League.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan coach Waqar Younis have both suggested Amir is likely to receive an international recall and former fast bowler Shoaib believes this would be a rewarding decision. “One thing that unites us is the World Cup and playing in India,” the 40-year-old said in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
“It’s going to give us a lot of pleasure. Pakistan are the most dangerous side if they play three spinners and two fast bowlers and get Amir back in the side. “What more important thing is there than for Pakistan to win the World Cup? I’m sure Amir can run in and win the World Cup.”
Shoaib, who took 178 Test wickets between 1997 and 2007, fully understands the opposition by many to Amir’s potential return to the international arena given that he was no stranger to controversy himself.
He once incurred a five-year ban from the PCB for indiscipline and had numerous other run-ins with officials, so therefore offers a measured take on the issue. ”I can understand people who do not want him to play and say once he destroyed the country’s name, that he should not get a chance. I think they are right but at the same time, there are other people who say he’s served his sentence, he’s served his time in the jail and if he does that again, then hang him. I agree.
“There’s going to be a lot of mistrust, Every time he’s going to run in there, there will be a billion eyes judging him. It’s not going to be easy for him.
“If I was in his place, and God forbid I shouldn’t be, I would have been so scared.
“But let’s help the child and let’s guide him once again and tell him what the right thing is to do.”
Mohammad Hafeez, the Pakistan batsman, has said he would feel uncomfortable sharing a dressing room with the 23-year-old, who has taken 51 wickets in just 14 Tests, given that he was part of the squad tainted by Amir’s indiscretions in 2010.
However, it is believed that two senior members of the Pakistan set-up, Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq, feel the bowler deserves a second chance.
Shoaib said it is vital that the PCB “gets the trust of the whole team” regarding Amir’s possible reintegration.
“They need to speak to his teammates and say: ‘Be easy on him and trust him’. It’s up to the PCB now.
Amir has been in outstanding form in Pakistan and the Bangladesh Premier League, taking 11 wickets in eight matches for Chittagong Vikings at a rate of 14.45.
As such, Shoaib, speaking at the Sprite Cricket Stars event at Shaikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, feels Amir could provide crucial inspiration for Pakistan’s struggling limited-overs side.
Last week, they were whitewashed by England in a three-match Twenty20 series, as well as losing the One-Day International series 3-1.
“Pakistan need to get their act and combination right,” Shoaib said. “It is not rocket science. You’ve got to find a matchwinner, guide him, train him, put him out there and make him understand the game and how to win it.”
