Ex-Pak player Atiq says Amir should not be rushed back into international cricket

Atiq-uz-Zaman, a head coach in the first class cricket circuit of Pakistan, has said that tainted player Mohammad Amir should not be rushed back into International cricket.

He insists that only if he performs in domestic cricket creditably, then only, should he be considered for higher honours.

The 39-year-old said that Amir, who would represent the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) in the qualifying round for the Quaid-e-Trophy, should be given some time to perform before being recalled into the national squad.

PakPassion.net quoted the former wicketkeeper-batsman, as saying that Amir is a confident man and his current performance appeared as if he had never been away from cricket.

Regarding Amir's fitness, Atiq said that it could only be judged after five qualifying matches, adding that being hundred percent fit would come with time.

Atiq, however, said that they would ensure that the disgraced player might not be provided with heavy workload and his bowling spells should be managed carefully.

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The tainted trio of Amir, former captain Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif served time in prison and were banned for their role in the infamous 2010 Lord's spot-fixing scandal.

Amir took 51 wickets in 14 Tests and 25 in 15 one-day internationals before he was handed a five-year ban for bowling deliberate no-balls by pre-arrangement during the fourth test against England at Lord's.