Time for Amir to rise above the turmoil: Bajwa

Fast-bowler’s mentor confident of 19-year-old’s comeback.

KARACHI: Mohammad Amir’s mentor and coach Asif Bajwa has said that this was the time for the banned fast-bowler to rise above his turmoil and prepare himself for a strong comeback to compensate for the years lost in international cricket.

Amir, who returned from the UK yesterday after serving a jail sentence at the Young Offenders’ Institute, is also serving a five-year ban on all cricketing activity imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

However, Bajwa, who worked with Amir for seven years before his international career started, was upbeat about his future.

“Amir’s a gifted individual and has plenty of confidence,” Bajwa told The Express Tribune. “I hope he’ll prove himself as an asset for Pakistan once again, given a second chance.”

Bajwa added he was looking forward to working with Amir as the 19-year-old bids to maintain his fitness and rhythm.

“First, I’d suggest a long rest. Amir experienced trauma and some time is required for the healing process before he can get back to action.”

Amir to pursue CAS appeal

While the 19-year-old’s appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was put on hold after his request, an official close to Amir said that the fast-bowler will now consider pursuing the case against the ICC ban.

Amir appealed in March 2011 inside the stipulated 28 days after the ICC imposed the five-year ban.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2012.