Amir seeks redemption in SA
It is not difficult to find boxers who have been jailed‚ but you need to go a long way to discover a cricketer who knows what it is like to see the world through prison bars.
Usually‚ that is. A cricket convict could be just a run-up away in Centurion on December 26.
Mohammad Amir spent three months in the chookie in England for his role in the spotfixing scandal that erupted after Pakistan’s 2010 tour there.
Now back on the straight and narrow‚ we hope‚ the leftarm fast bowler is in the squad that was scheduled to travel to South Africa on Wednesday to play three Tests.
It would be the second time Amir has bowled to South Africa’s players since his tangle with the law – he opened the bowling in the Champions Trophy at Edgbaston in June 2017 and went wicketless for 50 – but he has yet to play them in a Test.
He has been recalled for the South African tour after being dropped for the rubber against New Zealand in the Emirates.
“Amir is a wonderful bowler and we all know how skilful he is‚” Pakistan selection boss Inzamam-ul-Haq said in Lahore when the squad for South Africa was announced.
“He was always in our plans. He was dropped for his [own] good‚ to allow him to go back and not only rest but also work on his deficiencies.”
Leg spinner Shadab Khan is another returnee. Just 20‚ he was also part of the side who played South Africa at Edgbaston two years ago‚ conceding 20 runs from five overs.
Another leg spinner‚ Yasir Shah‚ will arrive flushed with his success in the Emirates‚ where he took three five-wicket hauls and a 10-wicket triumph in his total of 29 at 19.03.
But conditions in South Africa will demand different skills‚ and for those the Pakistanis will look to Hasan Ali – the leading seamer on either side in the New Zealand series with 13 scalps at 21.07.
Between them‚ Yasir and Hasan took almost half the wickets claimed by all bowlers in the series: 42 of 98.
Then there is 20-year-old‚ 1.98-metre tall, express bowler Shaheen Afridi‚ who must be looking forward to letting fly in Centurion.