Matured Amir wants to erase sordid past in England tour

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has said that he was extremely lucky to return to the Test fold again, insisting that he wants to 'supersede my past with a better future' in the forthcoming tour of England.

The 24-year-old, who served a prison sentence in the UK and a five-year suspension for his role in the 2010 spot-fixing case, will aim to resume his Test career next month at Lord's-- the scene of the fixing scandal.

"I might have registered my comeback months ago, but Test cricket is the actual cricket, and playing it again is what I was looking forward to, and this is my real comeback," Amir was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. "I won't say that I have forgotten my past, as my memory still holds those ugly moments from 2010, but I want to perform well. I want to get my name on the honours board at Lord's once again to win back the love and support in England. I am looking at this tour positively as I want to supersede my past with a better future."

Amir, along with former skipper Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif, were found guilty of various offences of corrupt behaviour relating to the Lord's Test between England and Pakistan in August 2010 by the independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal in February 2011.

The left-hander, whose five-year ban ended in September last year, went on to display an impressive form since then , having scalped a total of 16 wickets in two ODIs and 11 T20Is, including a sensational 3 for 18 against India at the Asia Cup in February.

Amir also stated that he was keen to resolve some 'unfinished business' by producing a memorable performance on his return in the longer format of the game.

"I was all excited for Test cricket because that is where my career was held back and I still can't believe that this is happening. You call it a coincidence or whatever, but to me it is a blessing that I am starting right from where I stopped in 2010. That tour was marred by the controversy and that left me with unfinished business. My only aim is to be the best bowler of the series, get Pakistan to win the series, and sign off with fresh memories," he said.

Having learnt his lesson, he further said that he was stronger than before and insisted that a different Amir with 'new refreshing thoughts' will be seen in the upcoming series.

Pakistan will tour England for a four-match Test series and a five-match ODI series, starting from July 14 at Lord's.