Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has signed as overseas player for English county Essex for the second half of the 2017 season. Amir, the Pakistan left-arm swing bowler, is expected to be available from the end of the Champions Trophy in mid-June. Essex hopes he will help them adjust to life in Division One of the County Championship – they were promoted at the end of 2016 – and Amir, who married recently, now has family in the London area.

Left-arm seamer Amir, who spent time in jail and served a five-year ban for spot-fixing, returned to the Test arena this year after his suspension was lifted. Amir, 24, was rated as one of the world’s most exciting young bowlers when he burst on to the scene as an 18-year-old before he became embroiled in a spot-fixing scandal in 2010. He was one of three Pakistan players jailed in November 2011 having admitted that he had deliberately bowled a no-ball in the fourth test against England at Lord’s. Amir served three months in jail and was banned from all forms of the game until January 2015 when he was cleared to play domestic cricket in Pakistan. He played four Tests against England, taking 12 wickets.

Essex has been in particular need of pace-bowling reinforcements, after the retirements of Graham Napier – their leading wicket-taker in 2016 – and David Masters. The attack is likely to be led by Jamie Porter, 23, who has only played two full seasons of Championship cricket. Chris Silverwood, Essex coach, said: “We are thrilled that Amir has decided to join us for half of the 2017 campaign. He showed a real desire to be a part of the club and the fact we have him for two competitions is a real bonus. He is still only young but has proved himself at International level already, so it is a real coup to get this signing completed.”