Amir was an integral part of the 2009 World Twenty20 winning squad and also in the side that made it to the Champions Trophy semi-finals later that year. But the tour of England – where Pakistan beat Australia in the Twenty20 series before drawing the two-match Test series – was to be his last appearance as the spot-fixing scandal was unearthed. However, despite the trials, the ban from cricket and the prison term, Amir still rued missing the high-profile Mohali encounter the most.
“I was so heartbroken that I couldn’t even watch that match,” said Amir. “I could tell from my family members’ faces that they would’ve loved to see me on tv then. I just got up and left. Missing that match was my biggest loss.”
Amir, however, remains optimistic about returning to cricket after his five-year ban ends in 2015.
“I’ve learnt from my mistakes. I cannot explain the pain I go through each day. It hurts to see the team play and then realise I can’t be part of that. I messed it all up because of one mistake. But I apologise for that and promise that if I’m given another chance, I will put in all my effort with sincerity and honesty.”
The fast-bowler added that prior to the spot-fixing episode in England, he was never involved in any sort of wrongdoing at any level in the sport.
“I played with honesty before I was forced into the trap. What’s happened has happened. I don’t want to get into the blame game again and just want to look ahead to the future.”
‘Friends’ never came to help me: Amir
Meanwhile, Amir said that the whole fixing fiasco and the subsequent jail term forced many of his ‘friends’ away from him.
“I got moral support from the ones I never expected but the ones who I considered my close friends turned away. Shahid Afridi motivated me during the tough days and I am very thankful to him. Kamran Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad have also been a great help as well as Shoaib Akhtar.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2012.
COMMENTS (32)
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Oh come on. that was not the first time he was involved in wrong doing.What about Sydney Test where he Droped dolly catch when Ricky Ponting(he went on to make over 100) was on nought and then straight away looked at butter finger keeper as to say that i have earned my corn
Gul Khan UK
Aamir you should be worried by Not playing at all cricket. Atleast regret of what you have done and dont repeat such mistakes again in your life.
He can be forgiven and very young lad.his talent should not be wasted.
The PCB needs to give all new recruits, especially those from underprivileged / rural backgrounds, a thorough orientation and training along with clear warnings that if they get caught even once in such activities they should consider their professional career to be over for good.
Yes, Amir made a mistake and it's commendable that he (apparently) realizes the severity of it and is owning up to it, but even if he's given a second chance he should be scrutinized because this I'll-do-it-if-can-get-away-with-it mentality runs very deep within our people. If you want any proof of that: Salman But is still portraying himself as an innocent, framed victim. Height of shamelessness.
We can forgive Aamir Liaquat, Maya Khan, Mubashar Luqman, Mehr Bukhari, Imran Khan, and Iftikhar Chaudhry, but no we cannot forgive a talented young (once) misguided player, who wants to rehab and play for his country. No No No!
@Vishnu Dutta:
The Rates all over the world are set in your country strange you don't know them.
Initially I was against him coming back but now I am sure we should give him a second chance just like Asif Zardari and Iftikhar Choudhary.
If Aaamir Liaqat can be forgiven then why not Mohammad Aamir?
One kick-butt performance by Aamir after his punishment is over to have him 7 khoon maaaf. You should keep your fitness young boy.
Here is one guy who is openly admitting his guilt. He comes from a poor background, is young and was misled - still he has the guts to say he messed up and will never do so again. He deserves another chance.
come back soon
ppl who are criticizing amir they are just fools, GOD also forgives 1 mistake
He deserve a second chance... We must give him moral support. he has confessed and asking for forgiveness and moreover he has been in the jail. If God forgive for more than hundred times, why not we can forgive him for one time.
What Amir did was a personal indiscretion. He was penalized for it and repents it,deserves another chance.
@ayesha azeem: sure , give him a chance after all its your discretion. but dont expect ICC to follow your wish. Amir may be able to play domestic cricket in pakistan but ICC wont let him play International.
now,i dont know what is a no ball rate in domestic cricket in pakistan.
I think there will be a complete script ready for a movie after his return to cricket in 2015..
Please keep this in mind: he was just 19 when he did what he did. Asif and Butt were well in to their careers. They knew what they were doing. Butt was the captain. And Asif...well, lets just say that this was not the first time he screwed up. He already got a second chance after the doping ban. Amir was a youngster and I challenge anyone to prove that they did not make any kind of mistake in their teens when they were growing up. I personally feel that Amir should get a second chance. However, he ends up doing something like this again, then he should be banned for life! BUT this is just my opinion....
Let the person who has never made a mistake in his life come forward and speak that Aamir does not need a chance and has to be punished.
Everyone makes mistakes guys even those who are old and wise and yet how old was this guy?
According to me he needs to be given a chance.
humans make mistakes and that's what makes us 'humane'.
loss of an opportunity to fix the match??
The TRIO should be prevented from representing Pakistan again, and i m not in favor of trial against them in Pakistan, Pakistani court should not waste their time on people like that. they are already proven guilty.
He should be given second chance.
if politicions can get 5 chances and humiliate the nation and still expects a 6th one (you know whom i talking about) than why not a 2nd one for this tallented fool... :-) educate me ...
if he is repenting and if he proves this in the meanwhile then and only then I can welcome him in the team after his ban time is over. At the very least, he is apologizing, unlike Mr. Butt who still thinks he hasn't done anything wrong and fans, too, still treat him as a hero! I give Amir some credit for coming out, telling the truth and apologizing, it does take a lot to admit your guilt.
Humans make mistakes,We all make mistakes,Let's just give Him a chance for God's sake... (Can't wait to be trolled by so called patriotic Pakis now,lol)
@ ali he isnt a robber he is a kid who made a mistake, just like you probably did and i for certain did at stages in life. Yes his mistake was bigger than ours, but the courage he showed to admit is truly admirable. Its not about how hard we fall its about how quick we can get back up.
@Ali
Agree with you. Mohd Amir making SOB stories so that the public gets fooled. He should never play again for Pakistan, because he is a disgrace. In fact all 3 (butt, amir and asif) should be on pakistani jail for disgracing Pakistan.
No, Thanks.
Ali, throughout civilized world, people do get second chance, even after murder. He is one of the most talented cricketer played in cricket history (without any pun around),
So, let's give him a chance.
Yeah, I agree with Amir. Indeed it was a biggest lost for him not to play in Mohali. He could make millions by doing a no ball there too
Once a robber always a robber.......Sold his country............now behaving like a newly married bride......Should make a example out of him.......