After six long years: Pakistan rally behind ‘born-again’ Amir

Returning pace prodigy the talking point as Pakistan, England meet at Lord’s

KARACHI: When Pakistan’s convicted spot-fixer Mohammad Amir takes to the field at Lord’s today, the bowler can expect overwhelming support from his homeland as he faces a potentially prickly reception from the English crowd.

The 24-year-old appears almost certain to make his return to Test cricket at the home of cricket — where he and two teammates were found guilty of arranging no-balls to order as part of an elaborate betting scam devised by a tabloid journalist six years ago.

England’s captain Alastair Cook has already stated Amir can expect “a reaction” from English spectators.



Back home in Pakistan, however, ex-players have come around to forgiving the left-arm pacer, citing his youth at the time of his crime and early admission.

Legendary bowler Wasim Akram, who led the country to their last Test series win in England in 1996, said he believes Amir can weather the hostility. “People want Amir to do well so there will be enormous pressure on him but I am confident that he will come out a winner,” he told AFP.

Mohammad Asif, one of Amir’s co-conspirators who is now playing club cricket in Norway, also pleaded for understanding. “I request to England players and fans to allow Amir to play freely. He and two of us others committed a mistake, were punished and now our bans are over so let us play,” he said.



In-form batsmen can change the game: Aaqib

According to former Test cricketer and ex-bowling coach Aaqib Javed, the visitors’ encouraging performance in tour matches indicate a positive outcome in the opening Test.

“Several of the batsmen have been among the runs and it is not like our batting line didn’t get adequate practice,” Aaqib told The Express Tribune. “A lot would depend on seniors Misbahul Haq and Younus Khan, but I’m happy that Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq have shown in side matches that they are ready to share responsibility.”

He added that Sarfaraz Ahmad coming in at number seven pointed to the depth in Pakistan’s batting line-up.



Aaqib further said the bowling attack will need the support of the batsmen. “Pakistan’s current bowling attack is capable of doing well against any top team of the world and in English conditions, they would be lethal,” claimed Aaqib. “You look at Amir, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali and Imran Khan — they all would be difficult customers. And then you have Yasir Shah as well.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2016.

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