At least the two period-banned international cricketers watched Marlon Samuels heroic innings on Sunday. Former Pakistani captain Salman Butt and pacer Mohammad Amir were experts on separate Pakistani news channel for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2012 for all matches involving Pakistan and semi-finals and final.
“Watching Samuels playing a major role in the West Indies winning the trophy must have reignited the desire [in Amir] to be back on the field in Pakistan colours. He must be going through mixed feelings of remorse as well as excitement as he reflects on his past mistakes and future opportunities”, Maqbool “Max” Babri, the renowned psychologist, who on the request of the PCB, has been motivating Amir, said from Lahore.
Interestingly like Butt and Amir, the 31-year-old, Samuels was also banned for two years for the same offence. In 2007, the Indian police accused Samuels of giving out team information to a known bookie prior to the first ODI against India in Nagpur. The police claimed that they had taped telephone conversations between a bookie, Mukesh Kochchar, and Samuels. The transcript was later released to the ICC. The International Cricket Council enforced a two-year ban on him for “receiving money or benefit or other reward that could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute though the player had maintained his innocence”.
“I think Amir is doing great. He has certainly learned his lessons and is aware how mistakes have already hurt his promising career. He is now ready to bounce back whenever he is allowed to play. He is young and energetic. I am confidant that he will do wonders”, Babri signed off.
Mohammad Amir’s other mentor and coach, Asif Bajwa also expressed the same sentiments.
Amir’s Samuels model
