‘It takes a lot of courage’: Kohli welcomes Amir’s return

Published February 23, 2016
Amir made his international return during the series against New Zealand last month.  — AFP/File
Amir made his international return during the series against New Zealand last month. — AFP/File

DHAKA: India's star batsman Virat Kohli welcomed the return of embattled Pakistani player Mohammad Amir to international cricket on Tuesday, heaping praise on his bowling and wishing him all the best ahead of their Asia Cup contest in Dhaka.

Pakistan's chances in the tournament will partly depend on the 23-year-old left-armer, who served three months in jail for spot-fixing in a Test match against England at Lord's in 2010.

“He is a very skillful bowler and I wish him all the best. He worked hard to come this far and it takes a lot of courage,” Kohli said in Dhaka Tuesday.

Amir was regarded as the hottest property in international cricket before the spot-fixing scandal, which also involved the then Pakistani captain Salman Butt and fellow bowler Mohammad Asif.

He made his comeback with the recent series against New Zealand, less than four months after completing his five-year ban.

“I am quite happy seeing that he realised his fault and rectified it, as well as went to New Zealand to represent his country,” said Kohli.

“He had always been a world class cricketer and I have no doubt if he had played for the last five years he would have been among the top three bowlers in the world, considering his talent,” he added.

India and Pakistan will renew cricket's most bitter rivalry this week when they face off in the Asia Cup, a contest for regional supremacy which is also a final rehearsal for the World T20.

The 12-day biennial tournament begins in Dhaka on Wednesday with India and Pakistan scheduled to meet on February 27 at Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla stadium.

Opinion

Editorial

A positive note
Updated 10 Feb, 2025

A positive note

With govt unable to press growth accelerator without upending fragile recovery, sufferings of low-middle-income households are unlikely to disappear soon.
Justice for all
10 Feb, 2025

Justice for all

ALONG with his domestic agenda, Donald Trump is busy ripping to shreds the post-World War II ‘rules-based...
Held back
10 Feb, 2025

Held back

IT is a crying shame how women are conspicuously absent from Pakistan’s civil services. Despite comprising half ...
Race against time
Updated 09 Feb, 2025

Race against time

While some bright spots emerged at Breathe Pakistan moot, we must streamline our climate governance.
Open door
09 Feb, 2025

Open door

THE door is still open for talks, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has reminded the PTI. What matters, however,...
Football suspension
09 Feb, 2025

Football suspension

ONCE again, Pakistan has been ousted from the global football family. FIFA recently suspended the Pakistan Football...