"I think we should move on in Amir's case, forgive him as he has served his punishment for the mistake he committed and allow the youngster another chance," Wasim told AFP.
The 19-year-old Amir was released from a British jail after serving half of his six-month sentence for spot-fixing at the Lord's Test against England in 2010.
Amir bowled deliberate no-balls, together with his new-ball partner Mohammad Asif. Pakistan's then captain Salman Butt and agent Mazhar Majeed were found guilty of contriving the no-balls in exchange for cash.
Butt and Asif are still serving 30- and 12-month jail terms respectively. The International Cricket Council (ICC) also banned the three players for a minimum of five years.
In his first interview since his release, which was broadcast last week, Amir accused Butt of tricking him into taking part in the scandal.
"As a cricket-loving nation we must forgive him (Amir). He has done his time and once he serves his ban he should be allowed back into international cricket as he is one of the most talented bowlers," said Wasim.
Amir was likened to Wasim during the 2010 England tour and Wasim himself admitted Amir was a better bowler than he was aged 19.
"Lots of people including Imran Khan praised his talent and he was the hottest property in international cricket until he committed that mistake," said Wasim, who played 104 Tests and 352 one-dayers for Pakistan.
Indian batting legend Rahul Dravid, who retired from international cricket this month, also backed Amir's return. But England's Kevin Pietersen said no player caught spot-fixing should be allowed to play again.
"If Pakistan is fine, the ICC is fine, then it doesn't matter what others say. Amir should play once he serves his ban," said Wasim.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said this month that they would liaise with the ICC to start a rehabilitation process for Amir and consider him for selection once he completes his ban.
COMMENTS (34)
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@anonymous Pakistani: All the corrupt people who get punished have a right to go back to their positions after serving sentence
Amir said in his interview that he only played for 1 and half year. How come he managed to purchased two houses in Lahore and all the bank balance
yes let him play again and when Butt and Asif get freedom include them in the team because they would have also served their sentence too. Don't forget about Mazhar Majeed make him team's agent again as after serving sentence he will also be "INNOCENT" If we want corruption out of cricket we will have to forget about them.......
Amir must play international cricket and he is kid with lot of promise,He has lot of potential and cricket lovers want to see him action.
I WANT TO SEE AMIR BOWLING again, he served his sentence, other countries are smarter at covering up their sins, Amir is too great a talent to be wasted. As for the crime I think that the PCB should seriously think about mentoring young vulrenable players.
he preferred money over the dignity of country.......... kick him out forever
and with due respect wasim go to India and coach IPL
nope i dnt want him back, when he ddnt care for his own career, his country then why should we? and how do we know/ trust that this was not his first time?? it could be his god knows what atempt and on being caught he says was his first
Dear Pakistani Brothers, how many people u know around u who do corruption or having any charges, and I am sure u all know the names around u who must hang to death but none ever go to jail or punished for his deeds. Then why the one who even serves his punishment must not be forgiven??????
As for Pakistani reputation is concern, U cant get it back just not letting Amir back in International Cricket and I am 200% sure about it
One jawari backing another jawari ................
Funny a country run by crooks wants to set an example of an 18 year old who just came into money and perhaps misled. still, the kid has served time. Pakistani's the forebearer's everything wrong about humanity taking a stand against what would be a petty crime compared to most in that country who bribe, avoid taxes, even miserable duty at the airport (a hot one), lie and cheat like second nature. If that don't beat all!
This discussion is premature. The ban is for 5 years. Even Wasim is saying he should be allowed to play 'after he serves his ban'. Four years from now - when the ban is over - no one knows what the situation will be. It is futile to discuss it now.
Brotherhood in same profession is a great tradition but its hard to guess, Waseem is on his side as a cricketer or as a match fixer.
An experienced and known match/spot fixer backing a fresh recruit.
He should not be allowed back right now but his punishment should be reduced. That will be beneficial for Pak since when eventually he gets his chance he would have more fire in his belly and a greater hunger to wear the green shirt.
Greetings from across the border! I think Mohd. Aamir has been punished for the crime he committed. Once he serves his ban as dictated by the law, he should be considered for the team. We all make mistakes. We all would expect to be forgiven for our bad deeds. In Aamir's case, he was not even forgiven. He was duly punished and now there is a prevailing mindset on keeping him away from Cricket?
I am sorry but I am with Akram and Dravid on this one!
ps. I saw some of his bowling clips on youtube .... again. What a talent he is. Our sport will only benefit from an honest and repentant Aamir.
First of all wasim bhai said that he should play domestic cricket.Secondly every player in the world does spot or match fixing its all about who gets caught so as he has been punished i think he should be allowed back
I second your thoughts Wasim Bhai ;)
NO corruption in government, NO corruption in sports, NO corruption in armed forces, NO corruption in parliament, NO corruption in religion, NO corruption in courts. Did I miss anyone?
Pakistan is full of talent. Why should we not find new talented youngsters and forget Amir?when his ban is served, we will see if we actually need him desperately or not. Decency and sportsmanship are important in civilised countries. Here people have the dare to face camera after crimes and ask forgiveness instead of going underground at least for the period of punishment.
Thats what we say. He SHOULD serve his ban. By the time he is done with that, if he has still got what he had, he can show it and come back. He should nt try to secure his place on team based on what he has now.
give him another chance give him another life cricket is life of this guy and you are taking a life away from hi for so small a crime zaibkatre ko faansi ki saza nahi hoti bhai logo
to all those who do not want him back please tell me why nothing happened to gibbs and others involved? there should be a second chance to this young lad...
hhhmmmm
Amir set example for cricket lovers by confessing for the 'crime' he had committed. Now, Nation and ICC should move ahead and allow him to play International cricket.
We should give him another chance.
@Umair Hassan: Bhai meray...we won the england test series on our bowling strength. So we can beat good teams without Aamir. And yes we lost the oneday because of our poor batting. We lost the last match because of poor captainship and bowling by the likes of Wahab etc.
We can find better bowlers. Look for it baba. When you suddenly bring Wahab Riaz with no recent performance this happens,
It is such an irony, that the culture of our society is so hypocritical, especially when it is supposed to be an Islamic society. In Islam forgiveness is repeatedly preached. What is further amazing is that we are not ready to forgive him for something that he has already served time for, hence he has paid his dues for his wrong doing - so now he is clean. Such purists must be angels, who have either never made a mistake in their lives or if they did they never expect forgiveness. How Islamic!
We forgave you wasim bhai, see what happened to amir. We have to stop forgiving now because you all players dont respect the nation.
I dont think wasim bhai said anything about allowing him(Amir) back into International cricket, In the GEO clip he is asking the authorities to allow him to play domestic cricket.
almost every team around the world "is or was" involved in match fixing, it was just a bad luck for our players that they got trapped. i support Wasim's stance BTW, Wasim himself was a great match fixer :D bitter but TRUE
Any one who has damaged the country's reputation should never be pardoned. We have won matches without big names and lost matches with big names. The individuals do not matter. let us not be carried away with such stupid suggestions.
With all due respect Wasim bhai but NO he is not coming back and nor any other corrupt cricketers.
For you its better go and server indian cricket team and fans.