Rameez Raja surprised by Mohammad Amir's "sensational comeback" after five-year ban
Former Pakistan cricket team captain and renowned commentator Rameez Raja has said that he was surprised by Mohammad Amir’s sensational comeback to the international cricket after serving a five-year ban for spot-fixing.
Amir, who made his international comeback last month, won praises from the whole cricketing fraternity after excellent display of fast bowling in the recently concluded Asia Cup T20. His fiery four-over spell against India was a small glimpse of the talent he possesses.
Raja surprised by Amir’s glorious comeback
Rameez admitted that Amir endured a lot of pressure to prove himself on and off the field, adding that the fast bowler has smartly dealt with the odds. The former cricketer also admitted that Amir’s comeback has proved him wrong and he is surprised by it. Though Rameez reiterated his previous stance that banned cricketers should not be allowed to resume cricket.
Previously, Rameez was very vocal about his opposition to the tainted pacers return to international cricket. During the Pakistan Super League (PSL) he also said the involvement of the banned players in PSL will be extremely dangerous to the image of Pakistan cricket and will have a negative impact on upcoming players.
He was also involved in an ugly fight with Mohammad Yousuf over the inclusion of Mohammad Amir in the national squad. Raja was also very vocal when Amir made his international comeback earlier this year against New Zealand and said that it’s not going to be easy for the pacer as immense pressure will be on him.
When Amir made his debut for Pakistan back in 2009 he was touted as the most promising fast bowler of the nation. Legends have named him as the next big thing in cricket that time before he got involved in the spot-fixing scandal at the age of 17.
The left-arm pacer was banned along with former skipper Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif after being found guilty of various offences of corrupt behavior relating to the Lord's Test between England and Pakistan in August 2010.
In 14 Test matches he picked up 51 wickets, in 17 ODI appearances, he picked up 30 wickets and in 25 T20Is he picked up 31 wickets including 7 in the last 4 matches in the Asia Cup T20. Amir’s is certainly the main strike bowler for Pakistan in the upcoming World T20 as he was able to give early breakthroughs in the Asia Cup.