Mohammed Amir says it is “a dream come true” to be playing at Lord’s again as he seeks to rebuild his career after spot-fixing.
Amir and fellow Pakistan fast bowler Mohammed Asif, in coordination with then captain Salman Butt, were found guilty of bowling no-balls to order for financial gain at the venue in a Test match against England in 2010.
Amir was jailed and served a ban from the sport, during which time he admitted he contemplated giving up the game, but he is now keen to look forward.
"For me it is a miracle, like seeing dreams come true," he told The Times ahead of the first Test against England on July 14. "If I perform well, I can feel proud again because Lord's is a very special place. I have good memories and bad memories there, and I want to make good memories again for the future.
“Life was very tough for a while and there was a time when I thought I might not be able to play again, but my family was always very supportive and they gave me positive energy.
“But for a long time I didn’t do anything. I didn’t even touch the ball, because I wasn’t allowed to or to use the facilities of the cricket board. It was very difficult for me, very depressing.
“I knew I had made a mistake and I asked forgiveness from Allah the Almighty and hoped he will bless me again.”
Also read: With returns of Amir and Yasir, Pakistan can end 20-year drought
Amir says teammates Mohammed Hafeez and Azhar Ali, who expressed concerns to the Pakistan Cricket Board about his return, have been excellent to him.
“They had their opinions and there was nothing personal about that and after the board talked to them they are okay,” he said. “Both have been among the most supportive in the team towards me and I thank them for that.
“Everyone has a right to their opinion. My aim is to bowl well and behave well. I was 18 years old, now I am 24. My life has totally changed. I am still learning.
“Nobody can be Mr Perfect but the thing is that you have to learn from your past and I am learning from my elder brothers, elder friends and teammates.
“I am trying to be a better human being, a better cricketer. I am looking forward now. I want to do the best for my country and my team.”
Butt backs Amir to shine
Butt said on Friday Amir, his spot-fixing accomplice, will be in top form on his return to Test cricket, just like boxer Muhammad Ali was after his suspension from boxing.
“He has bowled well in limited over matches and can deliver,” Butt told Agence France-Presse, adding that he did not see any areas where Amir needed improvement.
“Long lay-offs can hurt in many ways, but it depends on individuals and if they show the same hunger and determination – like Ali did in his forced lay-off – then one can succeed.”
Three-time heavyweight champion Ali, who passed away last month, was suspended from boxing from 1967 until 1970 after refusing to join the US war in Vietnam.
However, Butt conceded Amir could face a hostile reception in England, saying he will “have to ignore” any enmity. “People will move on once he does well and doesn’t react.”
Since his comeback, Amir has played 13 limited-over matches (two one-day and 11 Twenty20 internationals), during which he appeared to have lost none of his talent.
“There are no doubts that he can be Pakistan’s key bowler against England across formats, just like on the tour of 2010,” Butt said.
As for himself, Butt, 31, said he also hopes to return to the international stage in the near future. Earlier this year he scored 536 runs in the national one-day cup.
“I am working hard and trying to perform in any type of cricket I play because that is the only road to get back into the team,” he said.
Former head coach Waqar Younis had demanded Butt to be included in Pakistan’s side for the World Twenty20 in India this year, but selectors rejected his request.
Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq last month said Butt and Asif will only be considered once they perform in first-class cricket.
PSL could be staged at home
Pakistan hopes to host its Twenty20 league final on home soil next year if cricket authorities are able to allay security fears of international players, an official said on Saturday.
Pakistan has not staged major international cricket events on its home grounds – barring a few limited over matches against lowly ranked Zimbabwe last year – since terrorists attacks targeted the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009.
Following the attacks, they have been forced to stage their home series on neutral venues in the United Arab Emirates, where they also hosted the inaugural Pakistan Super League (PSL) in February this year.
PSL chairman Najam Sethi said all efforts will be done to host the PSL final in Lahore.
“We will try our best to stage the final of the second edition of PSL in Pakistan,” Sethi said after chairing a meeting in Lahore.
Five teams competed in the inaugural league which also featured top names like West Indians Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy, Australian Shane Watson and England’s Kevin Pietersen.
But they all refused to come to Pakistan, a trend which is likely to be followed next year as foreigners have reservations about coming to terror-hit Pakistan.
Sethi said the success of the inaugural PSL was encouraging.
“We are buoyed by the success of PSL last year and things are now getting into an exciting phase for season two. I can promise we will leave no stone unturned in bringing unparallelled cricketainment to the fans,” said Sethi.
Twenty20 leagues are fast getting popular across the cricketing world since India launched its cash-rich Indian Premier League in 2008.
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