Pakistan pacer Amir booed on international return

Auckland, Jan 15 (Cricketnmore): Mohammad Amir's return to international cricket after a five-year gap was not a happy one as the controversial Pakistan pacer was booed by the crowd during the first Twenty20 International (T20I) against New Zealand here on Friday.

The 23-year-old was making his first appearance for Pakistan since returning from a five-year ban for being implicated in a spot-fixing scandal in 2010. The left-arm pacer from Gujar Khan, Pakistan, opened the bowling and claimed the wicket of lower-order batsman Matt Henry, returning figures of 1/31 from his four overs.

Amir was at the centre of a spot fixing controversy in August 2010 when he was convicted for bowling deliberate no-balls during a Test match against England at Lord's. He was subsequently jailed for three months in November 2011 along with two other Pakistan players Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif.

His suspension originally covered all forms of the game but he was cleared to play domestic cricket in Pakistan in January 2015.

Amir, however, is facing several restrictions during the current tour. He is not allowed to leave his hotel and meet anyone without the prior permission of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Batting first, Pakistan posted a total of 171/8 at the Eden Park, and then dismissed the Kiwis for 155 runs.