Mohammad Amir reveals he nearly quit cricket and did not pick up a ball for three years after spot-fixing scandal
Pakistan fast bowler discusses extent of his torment during five-year ban for spot fixing during the Lord's Test of 2010
MOHAMMAD AMIR has revealed he did not pick up a cricket ball for three years and almost walked away from the game.
The Pakistan quick bowler has discussed the extent of his torment during his enforced time out of the game while he struggled to support his family.
Amir, 24, was banned from cricket for five years for agreeing to bowl a series of no-balls during England’s fourth Test win at Lord’s in 2010.
Then 18, Amir was coerced into the offence by Pakistan skipper Salman Butt and was slapped with a five-year ban and a six-month prison sentence – with Amir serving just three months in a young offenders’ institution.
Now he is set to return to the scene of his crimes after six years away from Test cricket when the first game of England's series against Pakistan gets under way on July 14.
Amir said: “I feel proud now – I’m representing my country again. I think it’s very special for me.
"Life was very tough and there were times I thought I might not be able to play again. I didn't pick up a ball for three years.
“I didn’t do anything, I didn’t even touch the ball because I wasn’t using the facilities of the [Pakistan] cricket board. It was very difficult and I didn’t do anything.
“It was very depressing because for a professional I couldn’t use the gym, facilities or even touch the ball. So what are you going to do?
“Yes [it was hard financially]. When you are earning a certain amount, I can’t explain the time three years ago.
“All my family rely on me so it was very difficult.”
Amir returned to domestic cricket and says that fellow players were not so much of a problem as the fans.
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He has played a number of ODIs since, but his reintroduction to the Test side has been gradual with senior players Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali voicing their scepticism over Amir returning to the ranks.
Ali added: “There weren’t comments from the players but there was some booing from the crowd.
"But I was mentally prepared and ready to face them.
“I had made a mistake and some people want me to play and some people don’t, so I was prepared.
“They [Hafeez and Ali] had their opinions and I thought it was nothing personal and they had an opinion.
"Then when the board talked to them they were okay and now they are the most supportive people in the team.
“Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Yousuf and especially Shahid Afridi – he was the captain when I was coming back – supported me.
“I’m really thankful to them and Michael Holding, from the bottom of my heart.”
The no-balls Amir bowled in 2010 certainly marred the Test.
But he still appeared to be full of pride as his wickets left England reeling – at 52-5 when he bowled one of his made-to-order deliveries.
Now he wants to atone for his sins and get his name back on the Lord’s honours board, having become the youngest bowler to do so during the infamous Test.
Amir added: “I’m really thankful to the almighty, he’s blessing me again at the same place which it ended.
“Now I’m starting from the same place with the same team and same crowd.
“It’s a miracle to see a dream come true. For me it’s very exciting and the special thing is that if I perform well I can feel proud again because for me Lord’s is a very special place.
“I have good memories and bad memories and now I can make good memories for the future.
“I want to get my name on the honours board like 2010 and I want to do it again for the sake of the country and be the best in the first Test.
“Everybody has the right to give his opinion and my aim is to do well and behave well.
“For me the main aim is to be a better human being. I want to be well-behaved cricketer and if I perform well make them proud.
“Hopefully they will forgive me.
“Six years ago I was 18 years old and now I’m 24, so life has totally changed now.
“I’m still learning things but in five years maybe you will say I’ve totally changed.
“You can say 'terrible memories' but now they are helping me because I learned a lot and I want to be a better human being and better-behaved cricketer.
“I can’t say 'good memories' but bad memories are at the back of my mind and I’m looking forward now and I want to be the best for cricketing fans, my country and my team.
“If I work hard I can be the best bowler if I’m fully fit and for me it’s the best ambition - that’s the aim for me.”