Pakistan’s banned fast bowler Mohammad Amir has decided to complete his education and stay away from cricket as he is not eligible to play the game for the next five years because of his involvement in spot-fixing.
Amir, who will turn 19 next month, said he had always wanted to finish his education. “Because of cricket and especially after I was selected to represent the Pakistan junior and senior teams I never got the chance to concentrate on my studies properly. “But now I feel it is the best time to complete my education,” he said.
The anti-corruption tribunal of the International Cricket Council (ICC) last month had banned Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif for different periods on charges of spot-fixing during the fourth Test against England at Lord’s last year.
The trio have to appear before a magistrate in Westminster London on March 17 to face charges for accepting bribes and trying to defraud.
Amir said he would be going to London to attend the magistrates hearing in the Scotland Yard case.
“Since the time we were suspended by the ICC it has been the most difficult period of my life and it is hard to decide what to do to use up the time productively,” the left-arm fast bowler said.
“So I decided this was the best time to complete my studies and get a degree, alongside fighting my case to get my name cleared of spot-fixing charges,” said Aamir.
Amir said he was determined to prove his innocence. “I am now trying to complete my unfinished studies privately because one thing I have learnt through the last few months is that you need good education in life.
“I have learnt a lot from this distressing period of my life,” he said.
