Former Pakistani pacer and star player Mohammad Amir announced hanging his boots from international cricket in December 2020, much to the surprise of his fans, who expected him to play in the coming years.
Prodigy turned controversial star rose to fame as he was featured on the Lords Honour board, however, he was banned by the top cricket authority who slapped him with a ban for five years back in 2010.
As the star player got a second life in gentlemen’s game, he remained at odds with the former Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja, who was replaced by veteran journalist and former Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Najam Sethi.
I would have never let Amir play again,
says former PCB Chief Ramiz Raja
As Sethi holds a different opinion about penalties imposed by cricket authorities, the former Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja remained critical of the tainted pacer, saying if he got powers to decide on the matter, he would have never let Amir makes a comeback.
Following the change of top officials, it’s time for Amir to make hay while the sun shines as the new PCB Chairman Najam Sethi has no problems If Amir planning for a comeback in the national squad.
Sethi, a known critic of his predecessor Ramiz Raja, shared positive news about the former cricketer in a recent press conference at cricket’s headquarters.
The PCB Chief said that he will not interfere in the selection process or interfere if Karachi Kings pacer wants to return, however, it would be only possible if Mohammad Amir took his retirement back.
The TV pundit however lamented against match-fixing, and other ill practices, saying no offender should be spared, and in a volte-face, he added that the player should be allowed to resume international cricket following his completion of the penalty.
The left-arm pacer was widely known as one of the best bowlers ever produced by the cricket-loving nation. Mohammad Amir made his first-class debut in 2008 and was detained for spot-fixing after receiving a five-year ban for bowling two deliberate no-balls.
In 2011, the 30-year-old was convicted along with Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif, of conspiracy charges relating to spot-fixing and spent 3 months in prison.
Four years later, he was allowed an early return to domestic cricket and inked a contract with Chittagong Vikings to play BPL. The striking bowler bagged a central contract by PCB in 2018.
A year later, he stepped down from Test cricket and finally announced his retirement from international cricket in December 2020.
