Mohammed Amir, the Pakistani fast bowler who served a five-year suspension and a four-year international hiatus for his involvement in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal, has expressed his frustration over the constant criticism he faces from former Pakistani stars.
Amir, who was only 19 at the time of the scandal, was banned along with fellow pacer Mohammed Asif and former skipper Salman Butt for deliberately over-stepping at the behest of Butt. All three were briefly jailed in the UK, where fixing is a crime.
“I have done penance for that big mistake,” Amir said. “I was banned from 2010 to 2015 and took retirement from 2020 to 2024. I have lost nine years, but I accept it all as God’s will and I have moved on.”
Amir made a successful return to international cricket in 2017 and was a key player in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy triumph over India. However, he retired from all forms of international cricket in 2020 after differences with then-PCB chief Ramiz Raja.
Raja and other Pakistani players have been vocal about the Pakistan cricket establishment giving Amir a second chance after his involvement in corruption. Amir has also faced criticism for being brought out of retirement and directly given entry into the Pakistan team without playing domestic cricket.
“There has been a lot of criticism by some people on me and Imad being selected without playing domestic cricket,” Amir said.
Amir countered the criticism by pointing out that he and Imad Wasim have regularly played in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which he considers a domestic tournament.
“I ask them what is Pakistan’s premier domestic T20 event? The PSL. And both of us (Imad) have played and performed in the PSL besides appearing regularly in other leagues. So what is wrong with selecting us for the T20 format?”
Amir emphasized that if the selectors had picked him and Imad for Tests or ODIs, it would have been wrong.
“I myself have always said players must get experience in domestic first class and other events to be considered for the national team. But in our case, we are only playing T20 cricket and our form and fitness is there for all to see.”
Amir also revealed that former Test captain Muhammad Hafeez had called him last year to inquire about his willingness to come out of retirement.
“It was nice of him (he was director of Pakistan team) and he said I could still play for Pakistan, but I told him that given the uncertainty in the cricket board and team, I would prefer to remain out of international cricket.”
