Sports

Returning Amir apologises as fixing ban expires

The-23-year-old apologised to his fans, teammates and seniors for letting them down

Afp September 02, 2015

PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: Disgraced Pakistan paceman Muhammad Amir issued a public apology to fans and players on Wednesday as his five-year ban for spot-fixing expired, vowing to make a fresh beginning.

The 23-year-old is eligible to return to all levels of cricket from Wednesday, along with Salman Butt and Muhammad Asif, who were also banned for their part in the notorious 2010 Lord's spot-fixing scandal.

Read: Muhammad Amir visits Thalassemia patients in Lahore

The International Cricket Council (ICC) kicked them out of the game for five years for orchestrating deliberate no-balls in return for money during a Test against England. They were also jailed by a British court.

Amir, who has repeatedly voiced contrition for the scandal, said sorry once again.

"I sincerely apologise to everyone I have hurt -- my colleagues, my fans, family and my country," he said in a statement.

"I will never be able to explain how much I regret the mistake I made at the promising start of my career. I disappointed my teammates and seniors who expected much better from me."

A precocious talent, Amir graduated to play for Pakistan aged just 17 in 2009 and received widespread sympathy from across the cricketing world at the time of his ban.

Partly because of his youth and naivety, the ICC earlier this year allowed him to return early to domestic cricket.

He featured in Grade-II cricket in April, taking an impressive 22 wickets in four matches before getting injured.

Amir said he wanted to win over doubting fans through his performances.

Read: Win World T20 and Pakistan will forgive you: Shoaib Akhtar to tainted trio

"I am not sure if I can ever be truly forgiven but I hope to win your trust and love with my upcoming performances. I believe this will be the best way to redeem the past," he said.

"No matter how sorry I feel I can't change the past. What I can do is start fresh and make a cleaner and brighter history, for myself and for Pakistan."

Former players were divided on whether the three players should be allowed to play for Pakistan again.

While former captains Ramiz Raja and Rashid Latif vociferously opposed the tainted trio's return to the national side, pace legends Wasim Akram, Imran Khan and Shoaib Akhtar advocated a second chance.

Read: Amir can become a world-class bowler: Wasim Akram

Amir said he has set small goals for himself and is not targeting an early return to international cricket.

Before banned, Amir had taken 51 wickets in 14 Tests and 25 in 15 one-day internationals. He also had 23 wickets in 18 Twenty20 matches.

COMMENTS (5)

Ali ASHRAF | 9 years ago | Reply Amir deserves another chance for being teenager, The teenagers are mistake make in all societies. They love to disobey parents and elders at home and pron to wrong-doing not worrying about consequences.What do we do with our teenage children for wrong-doing? I think Amir has learned enough.Given his current age he deserves a chance to reshape his behaviors. He can remain under strict surveillance.The other two players different if we consider their current age. Pakistan team needs more investment on young players rather than spending time on debating whether they should receive consideration. Let them play domestic tournament, county cricket or T20 league matches elsewhere. .

USMAN | 9 years ago | Reply everyone deserves a second chance, you, me and them, that's part of being human. If Allah can forgive us, than who are we to judge? forgiving is a beautiful thing, try it and it will give you lot of internal peace and probably make you a better person. As one of them said, redemption starts on the field...May Allah guide us all. Ameen

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FF | 9 years ago | Reply He deserves another chance as he has paid for his mistakes now. I'm not sure about Asif and Salman as they constantly denied their involvement in the wrong-doing for a long time and then confessed in the end when they couldn't see any other way out. Their character is much more doubtful than Amir's.

ivehadit | 9 years ago | Reply Amir needs to totally accept he did something very wrong. Even the slightest expression of a doubt on why he is being singled out in a country where very few have their hands clean, will lead to a rush of comments about him not totally accepting his mistake. Just the way the game is played. He's doing well right now. I think he's paid his debts to society, let him be the kid he is and do what he does best.

US CENTCOM | 9 years ago | Reply I have mixed feelings about the trio’s return. A part of me says that they’ve paid for the wrong by serving the time, but then the other part of me says that they should never be allowed to play again given the nature of their crime. Ali Khan Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM

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