Amir unafraid of potential backlash from English crowds

Bowler faces mental challenge of bowling in same country and at same venue where he was proven guilty

Left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir on Wednesday said he is not afraid of facing the English crowd again this summer when Pakistan travel to England.

Addressing the media, the 24-year-old pacer said he believes in putting the past behind him and focusing on his job at hand which is to bowl well in the upcoming tour.

“My job is to go out there and bowl the best I can,” he said.

“That’s what I have been doing since I came back [to the national side], and that’s what I will continue to do,” he added.



Amir has not played a single Test match for Pakistan since the ill-fated Lord’s Test in 2010 where he was found guilty of spot-fixing. He was subsequently imprisoned and banned from international cricket for five years.

Now, the 24-year-old will have to face the mental challenge of bowling in the same country and at the same venue where he was proven guilty of match-fixing.

The left-arm pacer could expect a massive backlash from crowds in England, like he did in New Zealand earlier this year, when he was taunted by the stadium announcer with a sound of a cash register.



However, Amir believes he is ready to face the challenge with the help and support of his teammates and his cricket board.

“It is important to be in the best frame of mind in order to deliver on the field,” he said.

“Thankfully, I have a strong team which is backing me and our board too has been supportive," he added.



Further, the 24-year-old feels the presence of new head coach Mickey Arthur will be crucial for Pakistan on the tour and has had no concerns about working with him so far.

“I had an opportunity to work with him [Mickey Arthur] during the Pakistan Super League (PSL), since he coached Karachi Kings,” he said.

“He is an experienced coach who has worked with international sides such as South Africa and Australia before, and I am sure he will be able to get the best out of our team too,” he added.

The pacer also believes that Pakistan would not only compete, but also win the series in England – a country which is traditionally hard for away teams.

“We are a good side and England wouldn’t take us lightly. I believe this Pakistan team has the ability to deliver,” he said.

This article initially appeared on Star Sports.