Mohammad Amir hopes he can earn the forgiveness of cricket fans in England by producing spectacular performances for Pakistan.
The pace bowler was today playing his first Test since 2010, when he bowled two no-balls deliberately as part of a spot-fixing scam. His opponents were England and the venue Lord’s — exactly as they were six years ago.
Amir was given a six-month prison sentence and a five-year suspension from cricket. He has been playing international cricket again since the start of the year, but this is his first Test.
Many believed that Amir should have been banned for life for what he did but the 24-year-old said: “Everyone has a right to give an opinion or say something but my aim is to do well, behave well, to be a better human being.
“I want to do well to make the fans proud. If I perform well hopefully they will forgive me and be happy. I feel proud to be representing my country.”
Amir told Sky Sports: “It’s a miracle: the place where it ended, I am starting from that place, against the same team, with the same crowd. I have good and bad memories of Lord’s but now I can make good memories for the future.
“I want to have my name on the honours’ board again. I want to do well for my country and be the best.”
Pakistan captain Misbah ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bat.
