The Curious Case of Mohammed Amir

Fast bowlers are a rare endangered species. Blame it on excessive cricket or on the pitches around the world or maybe it’s just that they don’t make them anymore. To prove my point, fifteen years ago the following cricketers were contemporaries: Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Fanie de Villers and Glenn McGrath. Try and put up a list like that today - it'll end before it even starts. Despite the supply side constraints, Pakistan, today, arguably has one of the most, if not the most, potent fast bowling line-up in the world. The trio of Asif, Amir and Gul can give any team in the world a run for their money.

I watched Mohammed Amir during the Test series in Australia at the start of the year and also during the course of the Test matches in England and I thought - if he can keep his feet on the ground, he will, one day be the most feared bowler in the world. Left-arm fast - mind you, not the 'fast-medium' types that come and go in India. By fast, I mean, Fast and possessing the ability to swing the ball both ways, with the most deadly weapon being the one that pitches at around middle and then comes back in to the right-hander. One particular delivery that stands out in my mind was one that he bowled to Jonathan Trott in the Third Test at The Oval from around the wicket. The ball pitched short of length, a fraction outside off and then swung away leaving the right-hander. Trott nicked it to the keeper and I must say, he did remarkably well to nick that one. Most batsmen would not have been anywhere near it. Comparison with another fast-bowler from Pakistan team was inevitable. The only weapon missing from his arsenal is perhaps, the legendary yorker. But hey, Pakistan have Waqar Younis as their bowling coach and he certainly knows a thing or two about bowling fast toe-crushing yorkers. And Amir is only 18. I am tempted to believe that figure, but even if he's 20 or 22, what the heck? He's still very raw, very fresh and there’s a lot to learn and a long way to go for him.

Or so I thought!

Let us assume for a moment that the allegations that have come up over the last few days are indeed true and take a look at Amir's partner in crime - Asif. It must be said that he has had a pretty notorious career so far. But he is experienced - or at least more experienced than Amir - which is reflected in the no-ball that he bowled - it was over the line by an inch or two. And he was quite nonchalant about the whole affair. He came running, overstepped by that much, turned and went back to his mark. Amir, on the other hand, over-stepped by about a foot! And then came the cover-up - sawdust! How on earth can a damp surface cause you to overstep by a foot - only he can tell. The point being that: (a) due to sheer inexperience, he overstepped by a foot - to make it absolutely certain that the no-ball is bowled and that he does not make the mistake of bowling a legitimate delivery by accident and (b) he made it look even more clumsier by blaming it on the damp surface. If Asif was the professional serial killer, Amir looked more like a novice having accomplished his first stabbing and made a meal of that too.

I believe Amir's inexperience reflects not only in terms of the amount of cricket played, but also in executing these criminal affairs which keep coming back to Pakistan cricket (or some might argue, when did it go away?). And I also believe (hope, rather) that Amir was pulled into the mess by the senior players of the side. Why do I think so? Amir definitely is too young in the side to be approached directly by any bookie without the knowledge (or approval) of the senior players (Butt, Asif, et al). Given his performance in the previous five tests this summer, he should have known that he is good enough to scale great heights in his career (if he didn't know that until that point of time, then perhaps the bowling coach is not doing his job!) and there was too much at stake to be risked. Had he refused to cooperate, that would have led to him being dropped for the final test citing a non-existent injury or niggle. In Pakistan cricket, or for that matter in most countries, it’s the captain’s way or the highway. The only other option left to him would have been to reluctantly overstep (by a foot!). And in any case, a few extra bucks won't do any harm, would it? Without a doubt, he didn't underperform in the test, with figures of 6/84 (you must be kidding me!). Also, nineteen wickets in the series (that is not counting all the dropped catches) is an awesome return.

I am extremely fond of fast bowlers (which is probably why I don’t prefer watching T20 that much and which is also probably why I hate the IPL). Although I am not at all suggesting that what Amir did was correct, I want him to play on. Not immediately, but in a few years time. If the PCB wants to pull something good out of this mess, it should try and persuade Amir to turn approver and help in getting the others indicted. Hand him a 2-year ban and allow him some redemption. That will allow two things: First, a clear conviction can be obtained if someone from the inside turns witness. Secondly, it will give one of the most talented cricketers in recent times a second chance. Whether he'll be the same bowler in 2-years time? That, only time will tell.

All this is, of course, my take on what probably happened and hence, what should happen ahead. I might be completely wrong and Amir himself could have been the “ringleader”! The real truth, alas, we may never know!