Daily Times

LAHORE: Legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram on Wednesday endorsed the return of left-arm pace sensation Mohammad Aamir to the Pakistan team. “Aamir has paid for his crime and must now be allowed back to the team. Aamir’s return will strengthen Pakistan as he is currently the best bowler,” Akram, who is the ambassador of the Pakistan Super League, said on the sidelines of an exhibition squash match in Karachi. The former Pakistan captain was of the opinion that Aamir needed to feature in more first-class games to get back in the groove but put his weight behind the 23-year-old’s selection in the World T20 squad. Akram echoed the words of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan who this week hinted that Aamir may be considered for the series against New Zealand in January next year. “Yes, we are looking at a him for this series and he could return to the national side on the tour.”

Earlier, former captain, Ramiz Raja, who is critical of the PCB’s sympathy towards tainted fast bowler, said that if he had powers to make a call on the matter, he would have never let the young fast bowler play again. “Pakistan cricket has suffered a lot. I don’t have courage to face any more shocks or jolts again. I have experienced this practically and those who have witnessed such things practically can’t forgive the characters involved in the act,” Ramiz, who is the other ambassador of the PSL, said in an interview. However, Pakistan coach Waqar Younis, who had a detailed discussion on Amir’s future with Shaharyar Khan last week, backed Amir and said “we are all on the same page” about the young fast bowler’s future in international cricket. “Aamir has served his punishment and he deserves to come back in the cricketing community and enhance his profession,” said Waqar. Since his return, Aamir has taken 22 wickets in a Grade II tournament before capturing an impressive 34 in the four qualifying matches of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. He then grabbed 17 wickets in Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament, the Quaid-e-Azam trophy. In the Bangladesh Premier League, featuring for the Chittagong Vikings, Aamir has picked up 14 wickets from 9 matches.