DUBAI // Mohammed Amir will be a welcome member of the Karachi Kings squad when the HBL Pakistan Super League debuts here next month, according to his franchise owner and teammates.
The pace-bowler made his return to international cricket this month after five years out of the game for spot-fixing.
His comeback from his ban for corruption has been far from universally celebrated, with two of his Pakistan teammates threatening to boycott the tour to New Zealand because of his selection.
Azhar Ali, Pakistan’s one-day international captain, and Mohammed Hafeez did, however, finally agree to play alongside the disgraced bowler.
According to Salman Iqbal who owns the Karachi PSL franchise, no such issues have faced the newly created side.
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The businessman says Amir was one of the most sought after players at the draft ahead of the tournament, and suggested the owners of the other four teams were keen to trade some of their own privileges in order to secure his services.
Iqbal, who is the chief executive of the news channel ARY, said he discussed the purchase with his captain, Shoaib Malik.
Malik confirmed the rest of the Kings players accepted the 23-year-old left-armer. The reception for Amir at the team’s launch party at the National Stadium in Karachi last week was further confirmation he is a popular pick, according to the owner.
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“I said to Shoaib Malik that I don’t want the team players we have to have issues at the ground,” Ibqbal said.
“He said, ‘The team we have selected all want him to play.’ I don’t think they will have any problems.
“He was with us at the National Stadium, and when he walked in, he had 33,000 people shouting his name. That is when I thought he was ready to play now.”
As part of Pakistan's limited-overs squad in New Zealand, Malik was not present at the announcement launching the PSL at the Conrad hotel in Dubai on Sunday.
Fawad Alam, though, also confirmed the Kings squad are “very happy” they will be playing alongside Amir rather than against him.
“What is done is done,” Alam said. “Now is a new time. Five years back, they [Salman Butt and Mohammed Asif were banned for corruption at the same time as Amir] apologised to everyone and I think we have to move on now.
“We have to accept him. He is a talented cricketer, so we are very happy he is in our team.”
Najam Sethi, the chairman of the PSL, says plans have been made to try to keep the event free from corruption.
He pointed to the problems faced in the Indian Premier League, where major sponsors have pulled out because of controversies related to corruption, to suggest the need for vigilance is great.
“It is a perennial problem in some countries, more than in others, but no country has been safe from it,” Sethi said. “Players from every country have slipped up at some stage.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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