The Rise, the Fall and the Redemption of a Phoenix called Mohammed Amir

He almost stole the show from India during the Asia Cup ’16 fixture, courtesy eighteen breathtaking left-arm

deliveries that had everything – from toe crushers, akramesque in-swingers, bouncers that would put WACA to

shame and the slower one that foxed the most experienced T20 player in Suresh Raina. Had it not been for Virat

Kohli’s usual mastery, the result might have been different in this low scoring affair at the Sher-e-Bangla.

If you’re someone who’s taken an interest to this sporting extravaganza in the last 4-5 years, you’d think that this 23

year old lad is a new kid on the block. But to think that he’s had his moment of rise, and rise and then a plummeting

involvement in spot-fixing allegations, all in an intermittent 7 year career which included a 5 year ban; it all makes for

an interesting story.

Born in 1992, the 6 ft. 2 in. southpaw often emulated his childhood idol Wasim Akram and incidentally, this Sultan of

Swing was Amir’s Christopher Columbus when this budding talent was only 15, prizing him his first tour of England

with Pakistan U-19 cricket team. He continued to excel with his precise line and length, and had the prowess to make

the ball talk at lightening speeds. He went on to make his international debut during the 2009 ICC World Twenty20,

touted as one of the prominent factors that led to Pakistan winning this second edition. The way he tormented

Dilshan, who was the best batsman in the tournament, in the first over of the final before finally deceiving him into a

false shot on the fifth delivery, remains arguably as a defining moment for him. He subsequently made his ODI and

Test debut, consistently delivering awe-inspiring performances with his prodigious swing and 145kph+ speeds.

In 2010, what followed was a bittersweet tour of England, albeit excruciatingly bitter for the young lad. Pakistan lost

the series 1-3; however Amir impressed with his bowling performances for which he received a man of the match

award in the third test (which Pakistan won) and was also the player of the series for Pakistan. Amidst all good

things, he also galvanized the authorities by bowling "an enormous no-ball, a good half a metre over the line" as

noted by on-air commentators, during the third over of the England innings in the fourth test. Investigations, sting

operations and further interrogations pursued which eventually led to Amir admitting to spot-fixing allegations in

September 2011. Amir was reportedly approached by an undercover agent to deliberately bowl no-balls in return for

payment from a betting syndicate. The 18 year old-then, gave in to the temptation of a few extra bucks that not only

scandalized his career but also the reputation of the game we all revere. He was subsequently suspended by ICC for

a period of 5 years; a lenient ban compared to what his team-mates Salman Butt & Mohammed Asif received, a 7

and 10 year ban respectively for the same offence, effectively ending their careers.

Amir made his resurgence to the Pakistan squad for Asia Cup 2016 on the back of his international comeback in

January 2016 in a T20 International against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland. Although he did little in the T20I

series to stake his claim, the ODI series that followed marked his true return to form with 5 wickets in 2 matches at an

economy rate of 3.8 runs per over. What preceded his Asia Cup spell of fierce, classical fast bowling that

bamboozled the Indian top-order was a hat-trick for Karachi Kings during the Pakistan Super League in February

2016.

A young man with modest beginnings rose to fame and fortune quickly, on the back of exceptional talent, yet proved

that, not everyone is beyond near-fatal impulses. He pleaded guilty of his offence; served the 5 year ban imposed by

ICC, has hopefully understood the implications of perverse judgments and has age to his advantage giving him at

least another 10 year-career.

For us, the audience, good news is that he still is the same talent as he was 6 years ago and it’s a delight to watch

him snake the ball and rattle the men with willow. Here’s hoping he transforms his controversy-laden career into

something more deserving of his dexterity. His moment of redemption now beckons him.

Quotes:

"He is much clever than Akram was at 18"

- Ramiz Raja on Mohammad Amir during Amir’s initial years in International Cricket.

"I would like to compliment Mohammad Amir for his spell. I actually congratulated him while I was batting. I was so

happy to play that kind of a spell. He's a world-class bowler. Hats off to the way he bowled and God bless him with

more success"

- Virat Kohli at the post-match presentation after India’s encounter with Pakistan in Asia Cup ’16.

"Please don't let it be the kid, The 'kid' in question was Mohammad Amir, the young, good-looking and prodigiously-

talented Pakistan bowler who had blown England away on the second morning at Lord's with a mesmeric spell of left-

arm bowling and who now, we had been told, had overstepped the front line twice for a few dollars more."

- Michael Atherton & Nasser Hussain after spot-fixing revelations.

Poll:

Who amongst the contemporary left-arm bowlers from Pakistan is reminiscent of the legend of swing Wasim Akram?

a) Wahab Riaz

b) Mohammed Amir

c) Junaid Khan

d) Mohammed Irfan