Mohammad Amir is back. You might like it or not but there is no escaping the fact that the convicted spot fixer is in the Pakistan team and will soon be seen playing international cricket, provided he gets his visa.
– Memon: The cricketing year in review
Amir is part of the squad for the limited overs tour of New Zealand, which will commence later this month, and he will get to play international cricket again at some point.
There is disquiet in the international cricket community regarding Amir’s comeback, barely four months after completing his five-year ban for deliberately bowling no balls in the 2010 Lord’s Test in exchange for money. While there is support for him, there remains a sizeable number of current and former players who have serious issues with Amir’s return.
Mohammad Hafeez and ODI captain Azhar Ali declared that they have a problem playing with the left-arm quick. When the PCB put its foot down, they seemed to fall in line before Ali went ahead and offered his resignation. The board refused to accept his resignation saying it didn’t want a crisis at this juncture. It’s that prickly a situation.
But that’s water under the bridge. The Pakistan management wanted Amir back in the fold and that was the end of the story. If a national board wishes to pardon a player, there is nothing anyone can do about it. That doesn’t change the fact that there are many players who have an issue in competing with Amir.
However, the need of the hour is that cricket boards and management ensure that international cricket is not jeopardised as Amir’s reintegration process gathers pace. There is bound to be scepticism as this is the first time a convicted fixer, who has spent time in jail, is back in the international arena. No one knows how it will pan out.
What we know is that Amir will be under constant scrutiny for as long as he plays. There will be players and even coaching staff in the Pakistan and opposition camp who will have problems mingling with Amir. But cricket boards must make sure that all of those involved accept the fact that Amir is back and that he has been given a chance to prove himself again.
Mohammad Amir is back in the team, let’s support him like we support the rest of our team. #Cricket #Pakistan #PSL
— Abdul Razzaq (@RazzaqOfficial) January 2, 2016
Due to his age, the 23-year-old pacer must be given the benefit of doubt this time and assumed to be on the correct path, looking to earn an honest livelihood while regaining his honour. Amir has to be given his space on the cricket field, and off it, while those against his reintroduction also need to be placated because no one can be faulted for feeling one way or the other.
It’s a thorny issue which will end in a disaster if the concerns of all parties are not taken care of. Whatever happens from now on, it’s the duty of the PCB and the international cricket community to make certain that the boat isn’t rocked just for the sake of one player. If Amir has to receive another chance, give it to him but also expect some fireworks along the way.
It is a strange and unique situation but once players accept the reality, it will be easier for them to get on with the game. It will most definitely be a painful process and emotions will run high. But there is no way back now and the sooner the administrators and players prepare for it, the easier it will be for an honest contest between bat and ball to be played.
