File photo: Pakistani cricketers Salman Butt, left, and Mohammad Amir, second right, walk at Allama Iqbal airport upon their arrival from Dubai, Monday, Nov. 1, 2010 in Lahore, Pakistan.
© AP
Karachi: Pakistan's banned pacer Mohammad Amir has made it a point to redeem his public image as he on Wednesday visited Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital in Lahore in a fund raising drive.
Amir has been allowed by International Cricket Council to resume playing domestic cricket immediately although his ban for spot-fixing ends in September.(Amir Signed up to Play in a Non-First Class Championship)
Amir, 22, not only met with patients at Imran Khan's Shaukat Khanum hospital but also played a friendly match with the children who were being treated at the hospital.(Petition Filed Against Allowing Amir to Return to Cricket)
"It is a long road to get back into international cricket for me so right now I am just focusing on domestic cricket. This visit is part of my commitment to be a better human being," he told reporters.
Although a civil petition has been filed in the Sindh High Court for imposition of a life ban by Pakistan cricket authorities on Aamir, the left-arm pacer said he was just relieved to have got a chance to get back into cricket.(ICC Gives Amir Early Reprieve)
"I have signed with a team to play Grade-11 cricket from next month so it is going to be an important event for me," he said.
Omar Associates, a private team, have given a contract to Amir who will appear in the non-first class three-day matches for them in Punjab.
Amir, who also had lunch with the children, said he was satisfied with his present fitness which would be tested after he plays regular matches.
"I am focusing on my fitness and I am training to keep myself in shape. When a sportsman is mentally relaxed, one can play better," he added.
He also said that people should not read much into Pakistan's one-day series loss in New Zealand.
"Because when we play the World Cup opener against India I can tell you the spirit and motivational level in the team will be very high," he said.
Amir, who has played against India, said it was always special to play and perform against the Indians, particularly in an ICC event.
"The pressure that is present when we play India is totally different when we play other teams," he said.
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