Cook warns Amir to expect abuse at Lord’s
24-year-old is set to make his Test comeback where his bowling of deliberate no-balls earned him a five-year ban
Left-armer Muhammad Amir (L) throwing the ball in the fielding exercise. PHOTO COURTESY: PCB
England Test captain Alastair Cook has warned left-arm pacer Muhammad Amir to expect a hostile reception from fans when he takes to the pitch at Lord’s for the first Test on July 14, The Guardian reported on Monday.
Amir is set to make his Test comeback at the venue where his bowling of deliberate no-balls in 2010 earned him a five-year ban after he pleaded guilty to spot-fixing.
Cook feels the 24-year-old will have to deal with the crowd voicing their opinions when play gets under way next week.
Pakistan bowlers need to step up and support Amir: Azhar Mahmood
“I’m sure there will be a reaction and that is right,” he said.
“That is part and parcel, and when you do something like that there are more consequences than just the punishment. That is something for him to cope with, whatever comes his way,” he added.
Cook, who has time and again called for ‘spot-fixers’ to be slapped with lifelong bans, believes it is only right that Amir is allowed a chance to rebuild his Test career. “It was very different then – match-fixers didn’t get caught,” he said.
“Amir’s case was the first big one in England, we had others, but this was the first in the modern era. Whether I agreed or disagreed with the punishment, he got it, served his time and he is absolutely right to come back."
“But if I was in charge and if you got caught once, that would be it – one strike and you’re out.”
Lord's return a dream come true, says Amir
Last month, Amir said he was looking forward for the upcoming series against England as he wants his name on Lord’s honour board again.
“I’ve got an opportunity which I feel no one has got in their career as I can resume my Test career at Lord’s where my progression was curtailed due to an unfortunate incident,” Amir told The Express Tribune.
“I’m lucky that I’ll resume my Test career in the same country and against the same team and at the same venue.”
Pakistan players hone fielding skills ahead of England series
The 24-year-old admitted that the tour of England is not just about cricket, but also about his image.
“So far all the matches that I’ve played in international cricket have been about my cricket comeback, but the tour of England is bigger than that — it is about the coming back of my personality and image.”
Pakistan’s tour of England this summer includes four Tests, five ODIs and one T20I, with the first Test commencing on July 14 at Lord’s cricket ground.
Amir is set to make his Test comeback at the venue where his bowling of deliberate no-balls in 2010 earned him a five-year ban after he pleaded guilty to spot-fixing.
Cook feels the 24-year-old will have to deal with the crowd voicing their opinions when play gets under way next week.
Pakistan bowlers need to step up and support Amir: Azhar Mahmood
“I’m sure there will be a reaction and that is right,” he said.
“That is part and parcel, and when you do something like that there are more consequences than just the punishment. That is something for him to cope with, whatever comes his way,” he added.
Cook, who has time and again called for ‘spot-fixers’ to be slapped with lifelong bans, believes it is only right that Amir is allowed a chance to rebuild his Test career. “It was very different then – match-fixers didn’t get caught,” he said.
“Amir’s case was the first big one in England, we had others, but this was the first in the modern era. Whether I agreed or disagreed with the punishment, he got it, served his time and he is absolutely right to come back."
“But if I was in charge and if you got caught once, that would be it – one strike and you’re out.”
Lord's return a dream come true, says Amir
Last month, Amir said he was looking forward for the upcoming series against England as he wants his name on Lord’s honour board again.
“I’ve got an opportunity which I feel no one has got in their career as I can resume my Test career at Lord’s where my progression was curtailed due to an unfortunate incident,” Amir told The Express Tribune.
“I’m lucky that I’ll resume my Test career in the same country and against the same team and at the same venue.”
Pakistan players hone fielding skills ahead of England series
The 24-year-old admitted that the tour of England is not just about cricket, but also about his image.
“So far all the matches that I’ve played in international cricket have been about my cricket comeback, but the tour of England is bigger than that — it is about the coming back of my personality and image.”
Pakistan’s tour of England this summer includes four Tests, five ODIs and one T20I, with the first Test commencing on July 14 at Lord’s cricket ground.