PCB to keep an eye on Mohammad Aamer in National T20 Cup as he looks to make international comeback

Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly decided to keep an eye on fast bowler Mohammad Aamer‘s performance in the forthcoming National T20 cup, as he is likely to make a comeback in the international cricket. According to Dawn, a Rawalpindi region official has confirmed the news, saying the 23-year-old is set to make a comeback in international cricket after a five-year ban on him ends in September. The official said that the PCB will keep an eye on Amir’s performance in the upcoming match,adding that the pacer would most likely get a chance to be part of the national squad by the end of this year. READ: Mohammad Aamer happy to hear that Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman idolises him

Amir would be representing Rawalpindi Rams in the National T20 which starts from September 1. The left-arm quick, along with new-ball partner Mohammad Asif and then-captain Salman Butt, was banned for delivering pre-arranged no-balls in return for money during the Lord’s Test against England in 2010.

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) relaxed his penalty in January after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) requested he be allowed to play domestic cricket before the ban officially expires in September.  “I must admit I have been given a new life. I will try my best to avail this opportunity. I am ready to put in the hard yards to serve Pakistan,” Aamer said on the Cricket Australia website Wednesday. Since the ban was relaxed Aamer has been playing in the Patron’s Trophy in Pakistan, which is one level below first-class, and has been taking wickets.

His manager Syed Noman Nazir told the website teams were trying to lure him to play in Australia’s Big Bash League, but Aamer’s “preference will be to feature in Pakistan’s first-class tournament starting this September”. READ: Mohammad Aamer geared up to repair reputation

Aamer said he is aiming for a gradual return to international cricket, but only after regaining his full rhythm. There have been suggestions he is focusing on a place in the Pakistan Test side for a potential series to be played against India in the UAE in December. “I am extremely pleased to see the crowd and fans supporting me after the comeback. It really is huge force of motivation for me. They have lot of expectations from me. Now it is my responsibility to not let them down,” he said.

During his long hiatus, Aamer admitted that he thought about giving up cricket but his coach Asif Bajwa convinced him to stay focused on the game. “I don’t have words to explain how tough last four years were for me. It is not easy when your bread and butter is stopped and you have no other income,” he said.

“I was in a situation that I wasn’t even allowed to touch a ball. It was really difficult. To be honest, yes, there were a few moments when I had lost hope, when I couldn’t see anything coming my way,” he added. READ: Mohammad Aamer targets ICC World T20 2016 for international comeback

Now he is in the groove again, Aamer said his immediate task was to improve his fitness and retrieve his reputation — but he admitted not everyone would be happy to see him back. “No doubt I will have detractors. Everyone has own way of thinking. As a cricketer my job is to perform on the field,” he said.

At the time of his ban, Aamer was one of the best bowlers in international cricket, having taken 51 wickets in Tests, 25 in one-day internationals and 23 in Twenty20 matches.

(With inputs from AFP)