Pakistan seamer on spot-fixing ban and returning to face England
Monday 11 July 2016 10:34, UK
Mohammad Amir says he feared he would never play cricket again during his five-year spot-fixing ban for bowling deliberate no-balls at Lord's in 2010.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports' Michael Atherton, which you'll be able to watch in full during the interval of the fifth ODI between England and Sri Lanka on Saturday on Sky Sports 2, the Pakistan seamer said he couldn't touch a ball for three years.
Amir is set to make his return to Test cricket after a six-year absence at the venue he last played, Lord's, in the first game of Pakistan's four-Test series against England from July 14.
And the 24-year-old harbours ambitions of becoming the best bowler in the world.
"Life was very tough and there were times I thought I might not be able to play again," said Amir. "I didn't pick up a ball for three years.
"It was very depressing for me, because as a professional, it's very difficult when you can't use the facilities, play cricket, you can't even touch the ball, so what are you going to do then?
"They are terrible memories, but now they are helping me because I've learned a lot and I want to be a better human being, and a better behaved cricketer.
"I am still learning. Nobody can be Mr Perfect. But the past is the past and I'm looking forward now. I want to be the best cricketer I can be for my country. If I work hard, the main aim for me is to be the world's best bowler.
"It's very special for me to be representing my country again and at the same place which it ended; same team, same crowd. I think for me it's a miracle, but dreams come true."
Amir was one of three Pakistan players embroiled in the spot-fixing scandal in the Lord's Test against England six years ago.
The left-armer, fellow seamer Mohammad Asif, and the then-captain Salman Butt received prison sentences as well as suspensions from cricket after being found guilty of taking bribes from bookmaker Mazhar Majeed.
"Lord's is a very special place, I have good and bad memories but now I hope to make more good memories for the future. I want to put my name on the honours board, like in 2010.
"Everybody has the right to their own opinion, and the crowd has the right to say some things, but my aim is to do well and behave. If I perform, hopefully they will forgive me and they will shout for me one day.
"England are a good team, and especially in home conditions they are very good, but we will work hard and try to beat them.
"England have a good batting line-up; Alastair Cook is a good player and Joe Root is doing very well. Every batsman is just as important to get out, but especially Cook, as he is the captain and the backbone of the team. I will try my best to bowl him.
"I am still learning as person, but as a player hopefully I am doing well. I can still swing the ball both ways, maybe you will see in the first Test. I think it will be a good series."
Tune in to the fifth ODI between England and Sri Lanka live on Sky Sports 2 from 10am on Saturday, where the Mohammad Amir interview will be shown in full. Read on below for more from Amir…
Atherton: Cricket was obviously your livelihood, so was earning a living a problem for you?
Amir: Yes. When you are earning a certain amount, then suddenly you're not, it was very difficult for me, and especially for my family. They rely on me, so it was very tough.
Atherton: You had to go through a period if rehabilitation with the ICC and made some player educational videos. Do you hope that those videos will prevent what happened to you, happening to other young players?
Amir: Hopefully. The video was very important for the youngsters, my aim was to deliver that message for them, those who want to play for their country. I always believe that you have to make good company for yourself. If you lose focus, you can get trapped like me.
Atherton: When you came back to cricket, your first game was for Rawalpindi in domestic cricket. Were there any adverse remarks from people you played against, or in the crowd?
Amir: Not from the players, but yes, in crowd there was some. But I was mentally prepared and I was ready to face them, because I knew I had made a mistake.
Atherton: How have you prepared yourself for that? Have you had professional help?
Amir: Yes, I did. I basically spent some time seeing a psychiatrist and sometimes my management. They always supported me, and still they are trying to.
Atherton: How important has Misbah Ul-Haq been in that process?
Amir: He is a very respected player all over the world, and he has always been very supportive, giving statements about me. I will try my best to make him proud.
Atherton: Have you seen Salman Butt in the intervening years?
Amir: Yes. We played against each other in the Pakistan cup in Faisalabad. He's a batsman, and I'm a fast bowler and so aggression is a normal thing. My job was just to do well for my team.
Atherton: How quickly did things start to come back for you? Your skills, did you feel they were there all along?
Amir: Yes they were. It's all about your mind. I always believed I could still do it. If you think you can do it, so you can, but if you think you can't, then you can't.
Atherton: Before you came back, a couple of your teammates, Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali in particular, were very reluctant that you should come back and play for Pakistan again. How have they been with you since your return?
Amir: First of all, I think they are both very good players. They had their opinions and it was nothing personal. I think both of them are very supportive now, two of the most supportive in the team.
Atherton: What about those who have supported you along the way?
Amir: First of all, you, you have always been very supportive, and in Pakistan; Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Yousuf, and especially Shahid Afridi. He was the captain when I was coming back in the team. I'm really thankful to them always, and Michael Holding, he was always very supportive. I'm really thankful, from bottom of my heart.
