Published: Jul 04, 2016, 08:49 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 04, 2016, 08:49 PM (IST)
Taunton: Pakistan’s Mohammad Aamer marked his return to first-class cricket in England with two wickets in quick succession against Somerset at Taunton today. At lunch on the second day of three in Pakistan’s tour opener, the left-arm fast bowler had taken two wickets for 16 runs in six overs, with former England opener Marcus Trescothick his maiden senior wicket on English soil for six years. READ: Aamer will lead PAK’s bowling attack vs ENG: Wasim Akram
Aamer’s exciting career came to a shuddering halt at Lord’s in 2010 when, during a Test against England, he and new-ball partner Mohammad Asif were caught bowling no-balls to order on the instructions of captain Salman Butt as part of a a tabloid newspaper sting operation.
All three received five-year bans from cricket and together with sports agent Mazhar Majeed, jail terms. Aamer, who served three months in an English young offenders institute, has only featured in the game’s shorter formats since his return to Pakistan duty in January.
But the 24-year-old is now back in England with the Pakistan squad and could make his Test return in the first of a four-match series at Lord’s on July 14.
After Pakistan had made 359 for eight declared on the second morning of three in their tour opener against Somerset, Aamer took the new ball. Despite suggestions from England captain Alastair Cook that spectators might jeer Aamer, there was nothing but polite applause after his name was announced on the public address system.
Meanwhile, former Pakistani bowler Wasim Akram has advised Aamer to brush aside the expected taunts from England fans and focus on his game. “My advice to him will be to enjoy the game, he has got pace and skill so go out and try to do his best.” He added that Aamer could form a deadly partnership with leg-spinner Yasir Shah, Pakistan’s highest ranked bowler who is returning from a doping ban.
