Unbanned

The news that the international cricket chiefs have formally announced a reprieve for banned fast bowler Mohammad Amir has attracted both criticism and praise in equal measure. Those against Amir’s early return are dismayed at the fact that a convicted offender has been given leniency at a time when world cricket is battling hard to keep a clean image through a variety of anti-corruption measures. Those favouring the young Pakistani’s comeback believe that Amir has paid for his crime and should now be allowed and in fact facilitated to play at the domestic level so that he can return to international cricket without wasting any time. There is no doubt that Amir did commit a grave offence. He was part of a plot to bowl premeditated no-balls during a Test against England in London back in 2010. Along with Butt and Asif, Amir was banned and later sent to prison in England. However, there is also no doubt that Amir showed remorse and admitted his guilt even as Asif and Butt continued to plead their innocence. There is also no doubt that Amir was young and impressionable at the time he broke the law. That’s why the International Cricket Council’s decision to allow him to play domestic cricket six months before his ban ends is justifiable provided all possible measures are taken to ensure that Amir doesn’t fall in the trap of match-fixers in the future.
The onus is now on the PCB because it has to keep a vigilant eye on Amir once he returns to competitive cricket possibly next month. The board was found napping five years ago when the spot-fixing scandal broke out in England. It can’t afford any more glitches especially because the board has itself been instrumental in earning a reprieve for Amir. It is hoped the PCB has made plans to keep Amir under the scanner once he returns to action. Now that the ICC has given its formal go-ahead, it will be good for Amir if he is immediately readmitted into first-class cricket. But for the greater good of Pakistan cricket the pacer should be under strict probation till whatever time it is necessary. As far as Amir is concerned there will be a lot of responsibility on the young shoulders of the 22-year-old. He has to quickly regain his rhythm, hit form and start taking wickets. In the meantime, he will also have to quickly learn to handle the media glare and possible sledging from opposition players. If Amir succeeds in doing that then there shouldn’t be any doubt that he will be back in the Pakistan team sooner than later.