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Rediff.com  » Cricket » No second chances for match-fixers: KP on Amir

No second chances for match-fixers: KP on Amir

July 12, 2016 14:10 IST
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IMAGE: Pakistan's Mohammad Aamir, centre, celebrates a wicket. Photograph: Getty Images.

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen has joined the chorus of players who believe tainted Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir should be banned for life for his role in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal.

Amir will return at Lord's six years after he deliberately bowled no balls at the same venue during a Test in 2010.

Pietersen was among the England team that played against Pakistan at that Lord's Test in August 2010 and the 36-year old believes anyone caught spot or match fixing should not be allowed to play the game again.

"They have broken the rules, should pay the price and not be given a second chance," Pietersen wrote in The Telegraph.

"If you cheat the system either by taking drugs or money to under-perform then you are mugging the spectators, your teammates and a sport that has been around a lot longer than you.

"People always deserve a second chance in life but sport is different.

"We are paid to play a sport we love and are damn lucky to lead the life of a professional cricketer.

"To try and gain an advantage by taking drugs or devaluing your sport by being bribed is breaking the 11th and 12th commandments. There can be no way back."

However, KP has also warned his England players and fans not to rile up Amir with abuses and chants saying the Pakistan paceman can be more dangerous when provoked.

"With guys like him verbals from the crowd or a bit of sledging from the opposition spurs him on to do great things so the fans will not be doing England any favours by giving him some abuse.

"(Trevor Bayliss and Alastair Cook) will realise that riling him is not a good option. If he were a batsman it would be easier to sledge him because all 11 players could get on top of him and give him some verbal abuse.

"But as a bowler he has the power. If you rile him and he takes three wickets in five balls then you look like a chump, so the England players will not be focused on Amir’s past."

Last week, Swann said he would “feel sick” when Amir walked out at Lord’s.

"Mohammad Amir will walk out on the green and glorious turf at Lord’s on Thursday — and it will make me feel sick," Swann wrote in The Sun.

"This is a man who crushed the morality of the game. And yet he is being allowed back to play at the Home of Cricket."

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