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Amir in the limelight after spot-fixing scandal

The 2010 spot-fixing scandal was the main topic of conversation when Amir returned to the scene of the crime in the first Test against England at Lord's on Thursday.

Britain Cricket - Pakistan Nets - Lord's - 13/7/16 Pakistan's Mohammad Amir during nets Action
Britain Cricket - Pakistan Nets - Lord's - 13/7/16 Pakistan's Mohammad Amir during nets Action Reuters / Andrew Boyers
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The Pakistan team has had to endure a barrage of reminders of the events of six years ago.

Three of their 2016 squad have first-hand knowledge of a Lord’s Test match that started so brilliantly for them but which ended up with the team and the tour in disarray, Azhar Ali, Wahab Riaz and, of course, Mohammad Amir.

Six years ago, Amir and Pakistan new-ball partner Mohammad Asif deliberately bowled no-balls on the instructions of captain Salman Butt as part of a sting operation carried out by a tabloid newspaper.

The players received five-year bans from cricket. They also received jail terms alongside sports agent Mazhar Majeed.

Today, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq says he believes Amir can win back the trust of cricket fans thanks to the quality of his play.

"His mood is good," said Misbah during a pre-match press conference at Lord's on Wednesday.

"He's just focusing on what he has to do in the ground," he added. "He is really responding well to that and I hope it's a big opportunity for him, and that he comes on to the field and performs for Pakistan, to win the people again."

England captain Alastair Cook, who played in the infamous 2010 match, has long been an advocate of a 'zero tolerance' approach to fixing.

He however said he had no problems with Amir being back on the field at Lord's.

"I've said all along I don't think match fixers should be allowed to play but at that time he was given his punishment," said Cook.

"He's served it, so he's absolutely entitled to come back."

Pakistan were 76 for two after winning the toss on the first day of the first Test against England at Lord's on Thursday.

Azhar Ali was seven not out and Younis Khan 18 not out.

This was the first of a four-Test series.
 

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