Mohammad Amir, Pakistani left-hand fast bowler, who was in Jeddah to perform Umrah along with his coach, Asif Bajwa, met young aspirants at the Saudi Cricket Center.

Amir advised them to focus on their game and to stay away from distractions. He advised them to work hard and play excellent cricket.

“Your company and friends always affect your life, so it is very important to be careful in choosing the right company. If you find anyone who is trying to push you toward something which is not right, please inform the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the management,” he said.

Amir is currently serving a five-year ban following his indictment in a match-fixing case. He is hopeful of making a dramatic comeback in 2015.

According to him, it is for the coaches to warn young players about traps that they will eventually encounter along the way. Amir said the media plays a negative role when it comes to scandals. “They should not play with the lives of the players, and should not publish any unsubstantiated stuff,” he said.

He said Pakistan cricket has a bright future. “Chaudhary Zaka Ashraf, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, is doing very well to revive the country lost cricketing glory,” he said.

Amir continues coaching with Asif Bajwa and keeps himself busy on the ground. Interestingly, Bajwa has been his coach ever since he started his cricketing training at the age of 11.

Amir told Arab News that right from the beginning he was very keen to play cricket. “I left home to join Bajwa Cricket Academy and underwent rigorous training,” he said.

He has played a number of matches, both at domestic and international levels. He won many “man of the match” awards until he was banned two years ago.

The ban has not defeated him. He continues to brim with confidence and expects to make a name for himself after serving the ban period. He, however, does not have any concrete plans for the immediate future.

Amir said he did not go in for any appeal as his teammates Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif did. “I did not think there was any need to appeal when the ICC had imposed a ban on me,” he said. “Their (Butt’s and Asif ‘s) lawyers told them to appeal and that is what they did, I have nothing to do with it,” said Amir.

“The most important thing for me right now is to pay attention to studies and my game.” His coach Bajwa thinks Amir is a very ambitious, hardworking and disciplined bowler with good line and length. “He has a bright future,” he said.

“Age is on his side because he is only 21 and by the time the ban is lifted he will be only 23.” Bajwa said though the ban has taken the sheen off his popularity but he has matured and has learned his lessons. “He will recover and come back with new energy,” he added.


CAPTION: Cricketer Mohammad Amir in action during his visit to Jeddah. (AN photo)