The 19-year-old's burgeoning career was cut short when he pleaded guilty to charges of corruption in a scandal that surfaced in August 2010 and rocked the sporting world.
Amir, once considered the hottest property in international cricket after a rapid rise from village boy to famed bowler, now knows nothing about what life has in store for him.
He emerged on the scene in 2009, regarded as a better left-arm paceman than the legendary Wasim Akram at the same age.
With 51 wickets in just 14 Tests, Amir was on the verge of getting the ICC emerging player award in 2010 - but his career and life then derailed.
The charges were related to bowling deliberate no-balls by Amir and pace partner Mohammad Asif in a Lord's Test against England, contrived with then captain Salman Butt and trio's agent Mazhar Majeed in return for big money.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) banned the trio for a minimum of five years while a UK court last year sent Amir to jail for six months, Asif for 12, Butt for 30 and Majeed for 32.
That scandal not only destroyed three top class careers but also shook the cricket world which demanded stricter penalties and measures to curb corruption, with many people feeling sympathy for the young Amir.
As soon as Amir was released from prison on Wednesday, speculation started about whether his career can be reignited.
Amir's former lawyer, Shahid Karim, believes the paceman can appeal against the ICC ban in the Switzerland based Court of Arbitration for Sports, however some experts believe his pleading guilty means he cannot.
Former Pakistan paceman Waqar Younis backed a reduction in the ban but there is no such provision in the ICC code in which the minimum penalty is a five-year-ban.
Former England captain Mike Brearley, also part of ICC's Task Team on Pakistan, showed sympathy for Amir.
"We also need to recognise that the pressure put on the young player by criminal bookies or their agents, or by their corrupt team-mates, can be appalling... some of those involved might need to be treated with compassion, especially if they admit their guilt," Brearley said last year.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi said Amir will have to undergo a rehabilitation programme under ICC's Anti-Corruption and Safety Unit (ACSU).
"Under the ICC anti-corruption code a convicted player undergoes an official education session to the reasonable satisfaction of ACSU programme during his period of ineligibility, in Amir's case it is five years," Rizvi told AFP.
"Further Amir has to agree to such additional reasonable and proportionate monitoring procedures and requirements as the ACSU may reasonably consider necessary.
"PCB and ICC are on the same page in this matter and are already in contact over the official anti-corruption education session," said Rizvi.
Amir's mentor, Asif Bajwa, remained optimistic.
"I don't think he has an uncertain future," said Bajwa. "I will take Amir under my wing and educate him and there will be same grounds, same matches and same people who will accept Amir.
"Amir will be back."
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give him another chance, he deserved it.
whoever says he shouldn't play again is a fool. He is a kid who made a mistake, 19 is no age for us to jusge someone, especially as poor as him.
Reduce his ban and re-educate him
Amir has been trapped in the conspiracy of International Gambling curtail and he should have been given some chances in near future
What is with Waqar Younis?? There are thousands of young boys with daredevil spirits and fresh blood eager to be recognized for their cricket passion and remarkable skills, then why should we resort to Amir only? He is not the last one .. instead he should be sent to school to learn moral behavior i mean c'mon whats his age only 19. He has long time ahead of him... and can always come back later when everybody really can appreciate him.
@AN: Cheater? Excuse me Mr. AN He was forced by his senior to ball no balls. and at that he was only 17/18 year old and you know pretty much how 17/18 in our world are exposed to realities
He served his sentence and thats good enough. I'm pretty sure he learned his lesson and will not repeat.
@khurram: There is no point.Once a cheater always a cheater. Look at Asif and count how many chances he was given. Aamir will do the same thing. After given second chance, he will do something else. Let's forget this trio and search for other youngsters who are dying for their first chance.
I think we should give a chance to Amir According to law he is illegal to get opportunity for playing cricket because of his age.My and my nation sympathies with Amir.
@khurram: we have a lot of youngsters who are waiting for their first chance,i think they deserve more than someone who was given the chance but instead they chose to sell out their country.If these cheaters are again allowed into the team then each time we lose a match or one of these cheaters bowl a long No ball, we ll suspect that match.None of these cheaters were naiive enough not to be aware of match fixing.
every1 deserves a second chance..
Those who disgraced the country must never be allowed to play again. We have recently won test matched against world best teams with new comers and there is long back up line. no one is indispensable. Let us discipline ourselves.