Shoaib Malik welcomes Mohammad Amir's return, while the bowler contemplates legal hurdles

Shoaib Malik has welcomed the possible comeback of Mohammed Amir into the Pakistan side, as the tainted seamer considers ways to tackle the legal problems that might arise, should he return to the national side.

Former Pakistan skipper, Shoaib Malik, has welcomed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s step to re-induct the tainted fast bowler Mohammed Amir into the National side considering his prolific performances since his return to competitive cricket. 

Malik said: “Not at all, actually I’m fond of him and I always feel like acting like an elder brother (senior) to him when he is around, and this has been the case since he first joined the team,” on being asked whether he would have any problem playing alongside Amir.

The all-rounder was of the opinion that Amir should not be judged based on the mistakes that he made in the past or what other cricketers have said about him. “He is a good boy. I know you are asking me this question because of the mistake Amir made in the past or the comments a few players might have made, or probably both.”

“They are both wrong in my opinion, but then who am I to judge? Judging is for Allah alone and He teaches me to forgive, as forgiving is a sign of Godliness and He loves forgiving,” added Malik.

Amir has had a tremendous run, since the five-year ban imposed by the ICC on him was lifted in September. He performed brilliantly during the Pakistani domestic season, as well as in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) to earn the attention of the national selectors.

Respect decision that Amir has served his time: Malik

PCB chairman Shahryar Khan has gone on record to say that Amir is in consideration for the upcoming tour to New Zealand, and the selectors have also indicated that he might be invited to the National Conditioning Camp in Lahore to prepare for the same.

“What Amir did was wrong, and the authorities at the time decided the punishment for him. At that time there were voices asking to let him go since he was young and naive but no consideration was given to this point. I respected that.”

“And now if the authorities feel that Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt have served their time and should be back in the team, I will also respect that,” said Malik.

Amir, however, anticipating legal hurdles en-route his comeback to the National side has started consulting his lawyers in order to strengthen his claim, and avoid any last moment inconsistencies.

Amir skipped the first phase of the Qaid-e-Azam trophy super-eight round in order to discuss about the legal hitches that he might face if he is recalled into the National side.

"He wants to ensure that whenever the national selectors decide to give him a chance, there are no problems when applying for visas to countries like India, England and Australia where visa rules are stringent for Pakistani nationals," said a source close to Amir.

The left-arm seamer’s overseas exploits have been seen in the past, and he will provide a massive boost to the Pakistan camp, if selected for the tour. The road doesn’t seem to be that easy for Amir though, as several cricketers have been vocal at expressing heir dissent at a probable re-inclusion of the tainted cricketer.

Butt and Mohammad Asif, the other two Pakistani cricketers who were reinstated along with Amir, related to the 2010 spot-fixing controversy, are still undergoing their rehabilitation procedures, and might be in contention to play competitive cricket after their rehab is completed.