The England’s test cricketer has insisted he would not have any issues playing against the Pakistani pacer, should the he make his Test return at Lord’s next month.
Lord’s was the venue six years ago when left-arm quick bowler Amir and two Pakistan players (2010 Pakistan captain Salman Butt and pacer Mohammad Asif) were involved in the deliberate bowling of no-balls as part of a newspaper ‘sting’ operation to demonstrate the trio’s willingness to take part in spot-fixing.
A teenager at the time and one of world cricket’s undoubted rising stars, Amir was sent to jail by an English court and banned from all cricket worldwide for five years.
He has now served that ban and, unlike Butt and Asif, Amir has now been included in the squad for a four-Test series starting at Lord’s on July 14.
Team officials are optimistic the 24-year-old will receive his British visa in the next couple of days following a special request for leniency from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The 2010 match, which England won by an innings, is now best remembered for the spot-fixing controversy rather than Broad’s impressive 169 – his lone Test hundred – could rankle with the England fast-medium bowler.
But Broad, speaking at an event said, “I don’t think any feelings will be dragged into this Test match from that one.”
“There are only four players in (this) England team from then, and Pakistan had a huge change-over. So, I don’t think any ill-feeling or negativity from the players will have carried through.”
Turning to Amir’s possible return, Broad said, “I think he’s served his time.”
“For quality of bowler, I don’t think there is much doubt that he is up there with anyone. I’ve not played him for six years, but in 2010 he was a constant threat and man of the series.”
“It swung round corners for him.”
However, citing the reaction of spectators at Lord’s to England all-rounder Ben Stokes’ controversial dismissal for obstructing the field in a one-day international against Australia last year, Broad said spectators at the ‘home of cricket’ may not welcome Amir back with open arms.
“The crowd might be a different story. There was a lively reaction to Ben Stokes’ dismissal last year to Mitchell Starc, and it looked like a nasty atmosphere for a while.”
