Amir: Fixers should be banned for life

"This fixing in cricket should not be allowed and anyone caught should be banned for life," Mohammad Amir said, "If anyone still hasn't learned a lesson from our cases, then he will be the biggest fool."

Published : Jun 18, 2016 17:13 IST

Mohammad Amir was imprisoned for three months after being found guilty of spot-fixing.
Mohammad Amir was imprisoned for three months after being found guilty of spot-fixing.
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Mohammad Amir was imprisoned for three months after being found guilty of spot-fixing.

Mohammad Amir accepts he is fortunate to be able to play Test cricket again after being named in the Pakistan squad for the tour of England following a five-year ban from the sport.

Amir was imprisoned for three months after being found guilty of spot-fixing, but he is now in line to make his Test return at Lord's on July 14, on the same ground his offence took place in 2010.

The fast bowler believes he has "unfinished business" in the sport, but admitted he feels "terribly lucky" to be allowed to compete at international level once more.

"To be honest I never thought about my comeback and I feel terribly lucky to be back to play Test cricket again," Amir told ESPNcricinfo.

"I was all excited for Test cricket because that is where my career was held back and I still can't believe that this is happening. You call it a coincidence or whatever, but to me it is a blessing that I am starting right from where I stopped in 2010.

"That tour was marred by the controversy and that left me with unfinished business. My only aim is to be the best bowler of the series, get Pakistan to win the series, and sign off with fresh memories."

England captain Alastair Cook has confirmed he is not opposed to Amir returning to Test cricket, while the man himself insists anyone now caught match-fixing should receive lifetime bans.

Mohammad Asif and Pakistan's then Test captain Salman Butt were also banned from the sport and imprisoned as a result of their roles in the affair.

"This fixing in cricket should not be allowed and anyone caught should be banned for life," the 24-year-old said. "If anyone still hasn't learned a lesson from our cases, then he will be the biggest fool.

"Whatever happened with us and the way our careers went down, I think this is the biggest example for everyone. Imagine what we could have achieved in those lost years. 

"I had missed five of the best years of my life and if I was still playing, everyone would know where I would have been standing right now."

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