Lahore high court clears Mohammad Amir's return to Pakistan team

Drama regarding Mohammad Amir continues as Lahore high court on December 29 rejected a petition against the inclusion of tainted pacer in the national cricket team. It cleared the last obstacle to his forecasted comeback after serving a five-year ban.

In September 2010, ICC suspended three Pakistan players including Mohammad Amir on allegations of what was later defined as spot-fixing. They were alleged to have carried out specific on-field actions, including bowling no-balls at pre-determined times, during the Lord's Test against England on the instance of a bookie.

The two other were the then-Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowler Mohammad Asif. Amir, who was only 18 at the time of his conviction, pleaded guilty to spot-fixing in 2011. Butt and Asif maintained their purity until all their pleas were worn out.

The likelihood of the three returning to the national squad after serving their bans has divided opinions all over the country. A lawyer named Munsif Awan petitioning the Lahore High Court to issue a stay order against a recall for the 23-year-old pacer.

Former Pakistan international cricketers Mohammad Yousuf and Rameez Raja were involved in a verbal scuffle on the subject of Amir’s inclusion on an online television show. The scuffle took place about a difference of opinion about the return of Amir.

This had already created anxiety between the two former players, but the direct communication between the two in a cricket discussion show led to a massive argument which eventually turned into an ugly fight.

A few days ago Pakistani players have made clear their displeasure regarding Mohammad Amir's inclusion in the national camp. Senior player Mohammed Hafeez and ODI captain Azhar Ali are among those protesting players. Amir broke down in front of teammates and offered to leave camp and cricket before the players finally relented.

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi Justice Shahid Bilal Hasan of Lahore high court rejected the petition.

Amir has every right to play cricket: Rizvi

Rizvi said: "I pleaded the case on behalf of the PCB and our opinion is that Amir completed his ban and as per country's constitution he has every right to play cricket. The judge on hearing the arguments rejected the petition filed by a lawyer, Munsif Awan,"

Pakistan's selectors included Amir in national conditioning camp at Karachi. He is also in the mix to get selected for next month's tour of New Zealand because of his outlandish wicket-taking form.

The squad for the three ODIs and three Twenty20 internationals is believable to be announced in the next couple of days.

Former Pakistan cricket team Captains Imran Khan and Wasim Akram have also supported Amir's return to international cricket, who believes that the youngster deserves a second chance.