NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan cricketer, Ramiz Raja, stirred controversy with his recent remarks regarding
Mohammad Amir
, a left-handed Pakistani pacer infamous for his past involvement in a spot-fixing scandal.
In an interview with a television channel in Pakistan, Ramiz Raja didn't mince words when discussing Amir's past transgressions. He stated, "I have very simple views on Mohammad Amir.
Even though it's not my duty to better the moral standards of cricket, the society and fans need to understand that I had experienced it when he did the fixing, I was on my commentary duties at Lord's. I know how much hate I got at that time because people thought I was identifying with the fixers."
The issue resurfaced as Amir recently announced his decision to come out of international retirement and make himself available for selection in the
T20 World Cup
. Amir, along with
Salman Butt
and
Mohammad Asif
, faced bans for spot-fixing during Pakistan's tour to England in 2010.
Despite serving his punishment and returning to international cricket in 2016, Amir remains a controversial figure in the cricketing world.
Ramiz Raja's comments took a personal turn when he remarked, "In cricket, if a cricketer is tainted anywhere in the globe, he is out. People would sympathize with him. But in my books, he should not be forgiven. Agar Mera beta bhi agar khuda na khasta aisa kar raha hota (If, God forbid, my son had done such a thing), I would disown him."
With Amir eyeing a comeback to the national team, his past seemingly continues to haunt him. The upcoming T20 World Cup, slated to be hosted in the USA and West Indies, presents an opportunity for redemption.
Amir had been absent from the team during Ramiz Raja's tenure as the chairman, with the latter consistently voicing his strong stance against match-fixing allegations.
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