‘Determination’ the success mantra in England, believes Misbah

Amir is fortunate enough to be wearing green cap again as both Asif and Salman are still striving to regain position in National team.

The left-arm quick was aged just 18 when he bowled deliberate no-balls in a Lord’s Test and then was hit with a five-year ban from all forms of cricket by the ICC.

“Since his return, Amir has been very good and has shown remorse of what he did”.

The 24-year-old will return to the same ground next month as part of the Pakistan team for the first of a four-Test summer tour of England.

“You call it a coincidence or whatever but for me it’s a blessing that I am restarting (Tests) right at Lord’s from where I stopped in 2010”.

“I may have registered my comeback months ago but Test cricket is actual cricket, and playing it again is what I was looking forward to and this is my real comeback”, said Amir. The squad have been told to provide their board with details of all friends, family and associates they intend to spend time with in England, while Amir has been spoken too about his conduct and the specific challenges he may face.

Amir realises he has missed crucial time.

“I had missed five best years of my life and had I continued playing cricket, everyone knows where I would have been standing today (in global cricket)”, he said. “I am looking at this tour positively as I want to supersede my past with a better future”.

“My memory still holds those moments from 2010 but I want to perform well, want to get my name (on) the honour board at Lord’s once again”, said Amir, whose haul of 6-84 in the tainted Test of 2010 features on the honours board, where outstanding play is chronicled.

Pakistan cricket team manager Intikhab Alam Friday warned fast bowler Mohammad Amir can not afford to put a foot wrong on the tour of England where he was caught in a spot-fixing case six years ago. The side has moved on since, and Amir said he was “stronger than before”, having learnt his lesson. “I fully back what Cook has said the other day, that fixers should be banned for life”.

His comeback in New Zealand in January saw a stadium announcer reprimanded for using the sound of a cash register over the loud speaker, with home supporters also reported to have waved money at him. I think players themselves have to be honest.

Amir also said he will be ready for on-field sledging and the inevitable chants by England fans. “The crowd sometimes gets nasty but you are a professional only if you handle all kinds of situations wisely”. Team manager Intikhab Alam and Coach Mickey Arthur are also present with the players.

“I had never undergone such an intense fitness training session and I really enjoyed that”, he said.