Former Pakistani cricketer Ramiz Raja has reignited the debate over Mohammad Amir’s return to cricket. Raja believes Amir, who served a five-year ban for spot-fixing in 2010, shouldn’t be offered another chance. While Raja’s personal experience of facing criticism for highlighting fixing is understandable, his stance on Amir’s future seems harsh.
Firstly, it’s important to acknowledge that Amir served his punishment. He was a young player at the time and has shown remorse. Secondly, Amir successfully made a comeback in 2016, proving his talent and dedication to the sport. Completely shutting the door disregards his rehabilitation and contribution to the team since his return.
Amir made himself available to play for Pakistan once again
After his historic return for Pakistan in 2016, Amir played for five consecutive years before hanging up his boots in 2021. However, the left-arm pacer has been consistently featuring in different T20 franchise tournaments across the globe. He has looked in great rhythm, which has advocated his decision to be available for selection for Pakistan for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.
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In fact, the 31-year-old has been one of the best pacers going around in T20 cricket in recent past. Since 2023, Amir has played 46 matches and has bagged an impressive 61 wickets at an outstanding average and economy rate of 20.31 and 7.33, respectively.
‘If my son had done such a thing..’
Raja, known for his outspoken views, came hard at Amir and forced that he should get disqualified from ever representing Pakistan again. He made some bold comments on the severity of the offense, stating on a Pakistani TV channel, “Tainted cricketers are generally ostracized everywhere. While I feel for them, forgiveness isn’t an option for me.“
Raja went a step further, drawing a personal comparison. “If, God forbid, my son had done such a thing, I would disown him,” he declared.
