Mohammad Amir’s honesty had earned him a second chance: Shahid Afridi

'I expect him to serve Pakistan cricket with total dedication and commitment.'

Karachi

: Pakistan's T20 captain Shahid Afridi has backed the return of tainted left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir to international cricket and insisted he deserved a second chance for speaking the truth.

Amir, 23, returned to the Pakistan squad for the limited-overs away series against New Zealand, completing a cycle of redemption following his spectacular fall from grace in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal.

Afridi told the media that Amir had told him the truth about his involvement in the spot-fixing scandal the first time he asked him in England. Afridi wrote on his twitter handle,

We now need to move on and I will back Amir and expect him to serve Pakistan cricket with total dedication and commitment

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) January 1, 2016

Happy to have Amir back in team. He told me truth first time I asked him in England. He admitted his mistake we should back him now3/4

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) January 1, 2016

Amir, who served a five-year ban and jail time for indulging in spot-fixing during the 2010 tour of England, was expected to make the squad after being brought back into the national camp despite resentment by fellow players.

Afridi, however, added he respected the stance taken by some players on Amir's return to the team, including teammates Azhar Ali and Mohammad Hafeez.

I respect Azhar and Hafeez'a stance. We suffered a lot due to spot fixing scandal and our image was tarnished everywhere.

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) January 1, 2016

Afridi said Amir's honesty had earned him a second chance.

Amir spoke the truth both to courts and the Pakistani public. Unlike the rest who kept lying for two-three years!

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) January 1, 2016

Amir also always backed team and didn't lie like others did. He didn't go to TV shows and criticized team like the others did for no reason.

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) January 1, 2016

Afridi said that former players, critics and fans should back Amir when he returns to the field.