Fast bowler Mohammad Amir has been released from prison in England, where he was serving a six-month sentence for spot-fixing.
Once considered cricket’s most promising star, 19-year-old Amir was found guilty in the scandal that shook the cricketing world in August 2010. Amir, along with then skipper of Pakistan’s test team Salman Butt and fellow fast bowler Mohammad Asif, had taken bribes from bookie Mazhar Majeed for bowling no-balls in a test match with England.
Undercover reporters from now defunct British publication News Of The World had secretly videotaped Majeed during transaction.
Talking to the media, after news of his release spread in his village, Amir's brother said that the family was very happy, but would be even more happy when Amir would start playing for Pakistan again.
In November 2011, Amir, Asif and Butt were found guilty by a London court.
Although Amir has served half of his sentence at a young offenders facility, he has been released on bail for good behaviour, two days early. He is yet to finish his five-year ban period.
Correction: An earlier version of this article had incorrectly mentioned that the trio had bowled the no-balls in a match against Australia. This has been corrected. The error is regretted.
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@Natasha S.: PCB should ask to lower down to 1 year instead 5years because Amir is a great potential strength for Pakistani fast bowling and key player not to be wasted.
We are all mortals and all mortals make mistakes.
He should be rehabilitated in the society, and if he wants to play, then he should earn his place in the team. He is too much of a talent to be wasted.
Earlier, he was reported to be interested in continuing his studies. If that is what he want to do, he should do that. And be a role model to other kids from disadvantaged backgrounds.
we should set an example and stop him from ever entering cricket, if he could cheat so early in his career , what will he do later in his career? as a new entrant he did not even for once spare a thought of what would happen? how on earth is he a hero? he squealed on the others with whom he had earlier teamed up to gain profit, he squealed just to get a lesser punishment, he is not innocent, he is corrupt and was arrogrant enough to assume he would get away with it . we have a lot of talent in pakistan and we are doing great wiothout him, i would rather have a mediocre consisitent pewrformer than a corrup hero!
@Qasim khan: Very well said sir. Pakistan Zindabad!
Come on guys, never defend him just because he was in 19. He did nt make mistake rather blunder. Every one knows that he shamfuly bargain our emotions. When he come back to Pakistan he must be punished again by PCB.
Muhammad Amir is a great and aggressive young talent for pakistan' luck is very cruel sometimes>he is innocent and not much educated' but salman butt cleverness ruined him' May be ICC give him a relase from 5 year ban'our prays are with u Amir'Come back and show this world that i am a pakistani and my heart beats just for my pakistan'forget past >look forward and snatch the smiles of enimies and spread the smiles on each pakistani face'PAKISTAN ZINDABAD'
He was young and tempted.. I believe he should be given another chance. Everyone of us make mistakes, specially when we are teenagers. I hope we won't waste that talent.
Hopefully the 5 year ban will stay and he will continue to suffer tremendously and become a true eye opener for all current and future match fixers
Let him play .. let him play ...let him play...
@Pathfinder: "Mistakes are portal of discovery" Shame on defending a convicted crook. If we take your argument right then let's give chance to every one in Pakistan to do whatever level of corruption he wants to do and then raise the same argument. And you know what we will discover then after all these mistakes a more miserable Pakistan. Let's give to politicians, civil servants, stars(so called)a chance of mistake. We don't need Exceptional talent our team is doing very well without these damned stars.
He is great bowler we need him back soon in team. I hate why the 5year ban is still on him.
He should serve his 5 year ban. According to law he is a grown man. A 19 year old is not a child. This will go a long way to ensure that we dont get any more Salim Malik's in Pakistan. Although I still believe there is fixing going on. There is something not right about the Akmal brothers.
He should be given a chance in cricket team. When an convict serves and completes his sentence then he is clean like others.
Give him another chance!
When english players cannot play they try to get other way, either by bowling actions or try to trap them.. I wish these english team go down the drain.
Trapping a kid of age 18 is very easy. I am so glad he is out and English team is getting beaten by Paki (wishing for a white wash, on their face). It seems like this time, the English players were betting (72 all out), it is definitly match fixing. Now who is going to trial them.
Hopefully International court of sports justice will reduce his ban period and he will be representing Pakistan back again. We need him. He has served his punishment and things are even steven.
Thank you Amir ..but you are not the only son of this land ..you had your chance which you trashed ..now don't every think to come back ..play elsewhere but not with greenshirt..we don't need u anymore
He has done his time. He should focus on improving his game during the 5-year ban. He's young and can still join the team as a talented, reformed, and dedicated player once the prohibition is over.
@Anum Athar: That's because he spent only half of his sentence, even less than half, like almost about 3 months. Let's see what ICC will do now of their ban, perhaps if Aamir appeals again something good can come out of it because ICC when issuing the ban did state that they didn't to give him so harsh a punishment but they didn't have a choice due to the law. But now that he has been punished, may be they'll reconsider, oh I pray, them to reconsider... And the fact that he wasn't in jail but the facility he won't face any hurdles in coming back...
Its very heartening to see ppl supporting amir and believing in giving him a second chance. @ others: plz cut him some slack, the guy was what 18 or 19, we all make mistakes and we all get by without getting any punishments. This guy for a change admitted his involvement and even though it would have helped matters had the admission come earlier, don't forget its takes a lot will and heart to confess a crime in front of public and then actually serving a sentence against the crime.
He should be brought back. fair and straight. he served his sentence what now?
wlcm back amir.... v wnt 2 c u again in pakistan team..
it was young blood, made a mitake...deserve a second chance!!
I believe Aamer should be given a chance to start afresh....he's only a kid, and kids commit mistakes sometimes...I have full faith in his abilities, and I hope for his quick return to the team!
Can't wait for Aamir to be back in action.
How quickly have the 6 months passed! It seems like yesterday that the trio was sentenced to jail. To Amir- you have cleared the first hurdle, put what has happened behind you and start living over again! The 5 year ban is too harsh but we still believe in you that you can still make a strong return to cricket. All the best!
guys, cut him some slack. he was young when he did what he did. All he needs is the RIGHT GUIDANCE.
please mohammad amir ko chance dana chaya
he is gud blower form 1first match
Welcome back my dear friend. We are eagerly waiting for your and your partners to start playing again. We would be more judicious this time. Take care for now and play it safe.
I sincerely hope that Mohammad Aamir, one of the most talented bowlers I have ever seen, has learnt from his past blunders. I hope he is a much more mature person now. He should work hard on his fitness and work regularly in nets (locally or privately) and should work hard to earn his place back in the team when he completes his ban. Best of luck with future !!
Great talent. 5 years ban is too harsh. Should be lifted considering his age and background.
He was punished for his wrong doings and he has learnt the lesson the hard way. He will get a chance again in the team sooner or later.
He should not be made part of cricket team now.
+1
dunno why but like loads of others i still have a soft corner for this guy..what he did was almost unforgivable, but what he has suffered as a result is just as painful :( i hope he has learned his lessons.. best of luck for your future,bro
regards an ex fan
@colonel no1 will ask u and keep him ..he was a kid n made a mistake n took the punishment for it,he should be given a chance he's a super talented boy
Was that match against England or Australia?
It was with England, not Australia.
Yes Amir you have made us proud, now show the world what you are made of, you have given a shut up call to all the bookies out there...one brave man you are!
"Mistakes are the portals of discovery." You are the Hero no doubt about that. We are waiting for you to come back in International Cricket.
He should not be made part of cricket team now