Amir gets Akram’s backing for international comeback

Amir was likened to Wasim during the 2010 England tour and Wasim himself admitted Amir was a better bowler than he was aged 19. – File photo

KARACHI: Pakistan’s former bowling great Wasim Akram swung behind Mohammad Amir on Thursday, saying he deserves to be forgiven and allowed back into international cricket after serving a ban for spot-fixing.

The 19-year-old Amir was released from a British jail after serving half of his six-month sentence for spot-fixing at the Lord’s Test against England in 2010.

“I think we should move on in Amir’s case, forgive him as he has served his punishment for the mistake he committed and allow the youngster another chance,” Wasim told AFP.

Amir bowled deliberate no-balls, together with his new-ball partner Mohammad Asif. Pakistan’s then captain Salman Butt and agent Mazhar Majeed were found guilty of contriving the no-balls in exchange for cash.

Butt and Asif are still serving 30- and 12-month jail terms respectively.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) also banned the three players for a minimum of five years.

In his first interview since his release, which was broadcast last week, Amir accused Butt of tricking him into taking part in the scandal.

“As a cricket-loving nation we must forgive him (Amir). He has done his time and once he serves his ban he should be allowed back into international cricket as he is one of the most talented bowlers,” said Wasim.

Amir was likened to Wasim during the 2010 England tour and Wasim himself admitted Amir was a better bowler than he was aged 19.

“Lots of people including Imran Khan praised his talent and he was the hottest property in international cricket until he committed that mistake,” said Wasim, who played 104 Tests and 352 one-dayers for Pakistan.

Indian batting legend Rahul Dravid, who retired from international cricket this month, also backed Amir’s return. But England’s Kevin Pietersen said no player caught spot-fixing should be allowed to play again.

“If Pakistan is fine, the ICC is fine, then it doesn’t matter what others say. Amir should play once he serves his ban,” said Wasim.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said this month that they would liaise with the ICC to start a rehabilitation process for Amir and consider him for selection once he completes his ban.

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Comments (20) Closed

Syed

Mar 29, 2012 09:10pm

I can only agree with Waseem Akram....only a legend like him can judge on a players value...we need to get over the spot-fixing issue. Forget and forgive. I'm sure he has learnt his lesson for his age. But let never Butt and Asif come back to the scene...these are the danger ppl. It's those with the drug addicts, first blame those who sell it and vanish them, then get a hold on the addicts!

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Aziz

Mar 29, 2012 09:29pm

Only people beyond any suspicion of match fixing should have a say in this matter. Unfortunately Wasim does not belong to this category. I fully endorse Kevin Pieterson's views.

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Naveed

Mar 29, 2012 09:29pm

Once Amir has served his ban, it would be upto PCB and ICC. He can try to come back. However, Wasim's career has been tainted on similar grounds in 90's (please see justice Qayyum report), therefore Wasim has lost the authority to comment on these issues. Actually, this was the generation who started all this nonsense.

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Jon

Mar 29, 2012 09:36pm

"But England’s Kevin Pietersen said no player caught spot-fixing should be allowed to play again." No South African should also be allowed to pretend to be an England player, which at least one third of the English team is.

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Saad Syed

Mar 29, 2012 09:49pm

SHane warne . Steve waugh and his brother , Mohd Azharuddin and many more had the same issues.. they all were given a chance..lets not the west control US. i am sure many other players are still involved.. and corruption is every where including britain..

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Seedoo

Mar 29, 2012 09:58pm

This is my wishful thinking also. As much as I personally want to agree with Wasim's point of view, I must ask the following question: "Is Amir's immense talent the reason we should forgive him, and what if he was not talented?

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CricPatriot

Mar 29, 2012 10:00pm

Great point.

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Abdal

Mar 29, 2012 10:47pm

Any crIminal who has served his sentence, should be allowed to live a normal life. This also applies in Amir's case. Discussions/comments on Wasim, KP and others really don't matter.

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Thommu

Mar 29, 2012 11:18pm

Have you as a nation lost completely the factor called integrity - in public life. By Wasim's standard, if get caught sit out the penalty time and then continue as before. If not caught matching fixing is OK. Remember, cricket used to be gentleman's game. With attitude like this it is no longer so. It now is stolen by street smart racketeers.

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IAK

Mar 29, 2012 11:57pm

Completely agreed. Wasim has no right whatsoever to speak on fixing-related issues.

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Bookie

Mar 30, 2012 02:14am

Pakistani legend and match fixer is backing another match fixer

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Critic

Mar 30, 2012 02:34am

No, He must serve his sentence. British authorities allowed him to serve only half of his prinson sentence. If ICC reduces period of his ban then it is fine. Despite all that my view is that he must never be allowed to represent Pakistan again together with Shahid Afridi who once dug up the pitch and then tried to eat the cricket ball infornt of all the cameras. Broght bad name to Pakistan. It surprises me that people want to ignore all that. Please show some respect for your country and punish all those who have brought disrespect to Pakistan. Let me remind Wasim Akram what happend in the game against Bangladesh in the world cup in England.

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Critic

Mar 30, 2012 02:36am

No, no forgiveness for cheaters who brought shame on Pakistan.

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Pervez Khan

Mar 30, 2012 02:40am

A young 19 year old uneducated, but God given immense cricketing talent is AMIR. You want him to beg on streets and destroy his life if NOT playing cricket to EARN a living. People with more 'serious crimes' are given lesser sentences and then allowed to carry on, God given life. BE COMPASSIONATE AND FORGIVING, ICC & PCB. Reconsider; Amir has learnt it the hard way.

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Wamiq Ansari

Mar 30, 2012 02:50am

What is the use of a talented player when he works against you? Imagine Mohammad Amir delivering the final ball of the Asia Cup against Bangladesh. He could have delivered a no ball and gifted despair to Pakistan on 23rd March. Amir should always stay in media but out of cricket to remind us of the lost talent. This will keep our younger generation honest to their profession.

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faisal

Mar 30, 2012 03:33am

I think the bottom line is that once he has served his punishment - the jail time and ban - there really is no reason not to allow him to play. Because after any further ban would be in affect re-sentencing - and that surely is wrong. Also I doubt any cricketer or person has a right to stand on such high moral ground to pronounce their own judgement of any other cricketer.

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Ovais

Mar 30, 2012 04:00am

As a national already tormented with corrupt politicians shouldn't encourage our youth no matter what walk of life. It's not ok to be corrupt and allowing him to play is saying most likely you won't be caught but if you do don't worry a slap on the wrist and you would be home free

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bhai jee

Mar 30, 2012 04:31am

“Is Amir’s immense talent the reason we should forgive him, and what if he was not talented? No selection. If Amir is not talented.. (simple)

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manzoor ahmed

Mar 30, 2012 11:28am

He was not trapped, a proven guilty , No reason to bring him back, people who are supporting should think of their past.

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ziaul

Apr 09, 2012 07:57am

After brooding on this matter for a long time, i have come to this point that there are few players in every team who has got involved in fixing. Some of the players were noticed and some of the players were not noticed, so they are the fortunate ones. Amir has done this on the words of his captain and on the words of bookie mazhar majeed. He was very less matured at that time. This thing ICC should understand that there are players who are playing after their ban or fixing so why so much strictness with amir.There is no doubt that he had done the wrong thing but for his less age i think that he should be given one chance and he has also told about his guilty. But the players like salman butt and mohammad asif should never be taken again though they are the senior ones.And Critic what the hell u are talking, have you never done any mistake in your life.First look within yourself then say someone wrong.

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