No ill feeling towards Mohammad Amir: Stuart Broad

England fast bowler Stuart Broad says that he won’t have any issues playing against Mohammad Amir if he makes his Test return at Lord’s next month. Amir was named in the Pakistan squad for the England series.

Broad, speaking at an event organised by England sponsor Hardy’s wine on Monday, said, “I think he’s served his time. For quality of bowler, I don’t think there is much doubt that he is up there with anyone. I’ve not played him for six years, but in 2010 he was a constant threat and man of the series. It swung round corners for him.”

If Amir makes an return in the first Test at Lord’s then it would be his first appearance in a Test match since his the end of the five-year suspension for spot-fixing in September last year. He had made a comeback to Pakistan’s limited-overs’ squads earlier this year.

Lord’s was the venue six years ago when left-arm quick bowler Amir (a 17 year old back then) and two Pakistan team-mates -Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif – were involved in the deliberate bowling of no-balls. Consequently, Amir was sent to jail by an English court and banned from all cricket worldwide for five years.

Team officials are optimistic the 24-year-old will receive his British visa in the next couple of days following a special request for leniency from the Pakistan Cricket Board.

The unforgettable 2010 match, which England won by an innings, was a special game for Broad. The fast bowler had hit an impressive 169 (his only Test hundred could). However, that match now best remembered for the infamous saga.