before getting banned for spot-fixing,” he said. “But it’s also a fact that he committed a serious crime and that’s something which doesn’t just go away.”
The PCB chairman is also concerned about a whispering campaign which suggests that several of the current Pakistan players do not want Amir back.
“I wouldn’t name the players but there is certainly truth in reports that there is some anxiety in the team’s dressing room over Amir’s possible return,” he said.
“If we conclude that Amir’s return can have a negative effect on the team’s stability then certainly we are going to think again,” he added.
Shaharyar said that even if Amir fulfills all technical requirements he will have to prove his form and fitness to earn back his place in the team.
“We have many young and talented fast bowlers in our pool and Amir will have to prove that he deserves to be in the team. For that he will need to give proof of his match fitness and form. He is a young man and should be able to do that but it won’t be easy considering that he has been out of international cricket for almost five years.”
The way Shaharyar is tackling the Amir issue is in complete contrast to how Sethi dealt with it during his stint as PCB chairman.
It seemed that the eminent journalist was playing to the gallery when he declared that PCB will fight for Amir’s early return soon after taking over as the Board’s interim chairman in the summer of 2013.
Sethi asked the ICC to reconsider Amir’s case and succeeded in his efforts when the game’s governing body revised its anti-corruption code last year. The revised code makes provision for a banned player to gain an early return to domestic cricket in certain circumstances.
Shaharyar said that Amir is well on his way to fulfill most requirements but added that the PCB will opt for an assessment process of around six months before deciding about recalling the pacer.
He also promised that the Board will closely monitor Amir’s conduct once he starts playing domestic cricket.
He concluded by stressing that the Board will be pleased if Amir overcomes all possible hurdles and successfully revives his international career.