Skip to content

Mohammad Aamer not focusing on Pakistan return

Banned Pakistani paceman Mohammad Aamer to return to cricket next month
Image: Mohammad Aamer: No focus on international return yet

Banned Pakistan bowler Mohammad Aamer has downplayed hopes of a speedy international return.

The seamer has been suspended for the past four years following the spot-fixing scandal against England in 2010.

Aamer is playing for Omar Associates in Pakistan's Grade-II tournament but was forced to miss the final against Karachi Port Trust on his 23rd birthday due to a hamstring injury.

He has bagged 22 wickets in four matches but insists he is focusing on steady progress ahead of a possible comeback this winter.

Aamer said: "To be honest I don't want to talk of international cricket ahead of time.

“My ban will expire on September 2 this year so at the moment my focus is on gradual progress.

"Four-and-a-half years is not trivial for a professional player but I was strong and survived and now I am playing and using the best facilities for which I am thankful to the ICC (International Cricket Council) and Pakistan Cricket Board.

"My competition is only with myself.

"I don't set my goals with others in mind, if I achieve my goals then there will be no competition."

Aamer was banned along with Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif for pre-arranging deliberate no balls during the Lord's Test against England.

He could make his return against Alastair Cook’s men during the series in October in the United Arab Emirates.

The bowler became the youngest ever player, at 18-years-old, to take 50 Test wickets

His 51 scalps from 14 matches came at a cost of 29 runs apiece.

Around Sky