There is a famous Urdu proverb “Heeray ki pehchan sirf johri ko hoti hai” (which means that only a jeweler can recognize true worth of a diamond). In 2007 the sultan of swing – Wasim Akram identified this awe-inspiring left arm fast bowling talent which we today know as Muhammad Aamir.

The day this 17-year old lad stepped out of his home (from a remote village of Changa Bangial, Gujjar Khan, Punjab) to join the Pakistan international cricket team he never seemed to look back. Coming from a humble background he didn’t know insiders to support his inclusion in the team but his performances and numbers spoke and spoke strongly of his mesmerizing talent. Within a couple of months and a few matches under his belt Aamir impressed the international cricketing world with his sharp fast-bowling talent.

Imagine the caliber of this 17-year old young fast blower who was described as “Cricket’s hottest property” by the legendary Imran Khan. His left-arm fast swing bowling was like a snake’s venom that used to paralyze batsmen. In his early days 2009-10, he ripped apart the English and even Australian top order batting line-up with mesmeric spells of fast bowling in their own dens respectively. This God gifted great talent Mohammad Amir became the youngest bowler to have taken 50 Test wickets and was setting his feet firmly for a promising career ahead.

However, this promising start was not destined to have a smooth sail. A famous English proverb goes ” a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” and thats what Muhammad Aamir meekly ignored in his classroom lessons. He deliberately overstepped the bowling crease for a few dollars more?? – how Unwise !! The country that gave him pride and platform for stardom . . .he insulted it!. Fine Aamir, you were trapped into it by whoever but you weren’t a kid, were you? Didn’t you know the fine line between right and wrong?

So why should the cricketing fraternity feel compassionate towards you and grant you an apology and let you play along right away? Isn’t there a lesson to be taught? and a message to be given to other potential perpetrators of such acts? Yes, There is! and hence you got slapped for a FIVE year ban and six months in prison!.

I see someone nodding their head in disbelief that it this punishment was not enough? … oh then … Ask a medical student, an engineer student or a chartered accountancy student who gets banned from appearing in all their courses for cheating in of their exams!

The creator of this world and mankind, the Almighty, forgives his creations for sins they commit if they repent and seek forgiveness then who are we to say “Aamir should not be allowed to join the national team even after serving his punishment period since he committed a disgraceful crime’?

They say, ‘Aamir would leave a bad influence on the current team’. I say these blockheads fit into the description of pessimists who always see the glass half-empty. Why can’t we see it positively ? in a way that once Aamir joins the team other team-mates will learn from his experience, the problems he went through the insults he and his family had to bear. In fact, if Pakistan wants to make the best use of this talented young player then he should share his experience with the young under 19 cricketers as well. There could be no better example than him to counsel our youngsters about the consequences of cheating.

Nonetheless, everybody has a voice to contribute. But I must say one last thing to those who see Aamir’s case as an unforgivable mistake…Remember that any cricket team in the world will always find space for this talented left-arm pace bowler who can swing the ball and who can bat, as A\mir does.. and who can be a lesson for other young cricketers. If we miss our chance by not backing Aamir today – I am sorry we are on the losing end in that case.
Aamir