Amir pleads for a second chance

Pakistan’s banned fast bowler, Mohammad Amir, has expressed his desire to return to international cricket once again and believes that everybody deserves a second chance. The 20-year-old cricketer came through the ranks of junior sport in the country, representing Pakistan Under-19s in a number of series. Having performed exceptionally well in first-class cricket for the National Bank of Pakistan, Amir burst into the scene of international sport during the ICC World T20 2009 in England, immediately helping the Green Shirts clinch the title. The left-arm pacer continued to perform well in all formats of the game, impressing cricket analysts all around the world. He seemed to be at the peak of his game during the tour of England in 2010, before he was found involved in bowling deliberate no-balls in the Lord’s Test against the hosts. The cricketer from Gujjar Khan is currently serving a 5-year ban from all sorts of competitive cricket. The talented speedster admitted that he made a mistake but he vows to return to the world-stage sooner or later. “I want to come back with my head held high, with a new spirit and as a role model,” he said. “I accepted everything and pleaded guilty only to give myself peace.” In the 14 Tests, 15 One Day Internationals and 18 T20 Internationals Amir played for his country, the left-armer picked up 99 wickets at the highest stage of the game, with impressive averages. Amir further added that it is extremely painful for him to remain out of international cricket but hopes that the authorities will give him another chance to revive his career. “I know there were things that shouldn’t have happened, but I can’t change my past. It is obviously tough staying away from cricket; I am coping with hell at the moment and nobody can understand how difficult it is to live away from cricket. I made a mistake and paid the price for it, but everyone gets a second chance and I want it too.” Amir is still young and majority of the former cricketers believe that the rookie will be able to play for Pakistan again.