My real fight is to earn the trust of people again

NEW DELHI: At 18, he was on his way to becoming the pace king of Pakistan. But the ground beneath Mohammad Amir’s feet caved in after he was found guilty in the spot-fixing scandal with team mates Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif on the 2010 England tour. He escaped jail in the no-ball-for-cash scam as he was underage, but spent three months in a correctional facility with juvenile criminals. Those were bleak days. For Amir, watching matches on common TV was a bigger torture than living with dangerous minds. He often cried. Now, with his five-year ban due to end in September, 2015, Amir is preparing for his second innings. In an interview to HT, Amir admits he was guilty in the eyes of his people but they would see a reformed man when he returns. Excerpts:

Do you remember your time in jail?

The Feltham Institute was like a reform centre. The first few days, I stayed in a corner, crying. There was a gym and a library. Inmates have to take up different courses. I did a first-aid course. The place was full of criminals but I had done wrong. The one thing I learnt there was that if someone close to you asks you to do wrong things, he is not your friend. Stay away from him. Otherwise, you will be ruined.

How is your relationship with Mohd Asif and Salman?

Both are history for me. I haven’t met them since the court case got over, nor have I spoken to them. I don’t know where they are and what they are doing.

How do you plan your return?

I can’t imagine living without cricket. My ban is going to end in 12 months, but I have been preparing for a long time. My plan for the return is on paper. I have started basic training

Will things be the same when you return to the Pak team?

I don’t think so. Actually, my real fight will begin from here. First, I have to prove

I am the same bowler and cricketer I was before the ban. Then, I have to earn the trust of the people again. My fans are angry with me. Many times, they have abused me in public. But that was because they loved me. ‘Main unka ye karj utarna hai’ (This is a debt I have to pay back). I am guilty in their eyes. I know that because of me many Pakistanis stopped watching cricket.

Anything positive happened in this phase?

Narjis is the best thing to happen in this crisis. I was in England fighting the spotfixing case when I met her at a family function and fell in love with her. She is a law graduate. She was the biggest comfort for me when my life was a total mess. After three years of our relationship, we got married recently.

Do you follow current pace bowlers?

I recently saw Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowl. If he gets favourable conditions, he swings the ball both ways. But the bowler I love to follow is Dale Steyn. He is the best bowler in the world.