Mohammad Amir's return to international cricket after serving a five-year spot-fixing ban divided the cricket world, with some praising rehabilitation and others arguing convicted fixers should never return.
Mohammad Amir's return to international cricket in January 2016, following his five-year ban for spot-fixing at Lord's in 2010, became one of cricket's most debated topics. At the time of his offense, Amir was just 18 and considered one of the most talented fast bowlers in world cricket. His ban and six-month prison sentence ended a career that had produced 51 Test wickets in just 14 matches.
The debate over his return was fierce. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan strongly supported Amir's rehabilitation, arguing that he had served his time and deserved a second chance. Captain Misbah-ul-Haq and coach Waqar Younis also backed his return. However, several senior Pakistani players, reportedly including Fawad Alam and Ahmed Shehzad, were uncomfortable playing alongside a convicted fixer.
The ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit had reservations about allowing Amir to return, and his reintegration required him to undertake extensive anti-corruption education. International reaction was mixed - while some applauded the principle of rehabilitation, others, particularly in England where the fixing had occurred, questioned whether a criminal conviction for corruption should be treated the same as, say, a doping ban.
Amir went on to play a key role in Pakistan's memorable Champions Trophy victory in 2017, taking three wickets in the final against India. He eventually retired from Test cricket in 2019, citing the physical demands, and later had a brief international career before stepping away from Pakistan cricket amid controversies with the PCB.
Amir returned to international cricket after serving his five-year ban. His rehabilitation remained controversial throughout his career.
South Africa vs Various
7 April 2000
South African captain Hansie Cronje was found guilty of match fixing after Delhi Police intercepted phone calls between Cronje and an Indian bookmaker, Sanjay Chawla.
South Africa vs England
18 January 2000
Hansie Cronje engineered a contrived result at Centurion after rain had washed out most of the Test, later revealed to have been done at the behest of a bookmaker in exchange for a leather jacket and cash.
India vs Various
5 December 2000
Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin was banned for life by the BCCI after the CBI found evidence of his involvement in match fixing, based on revelations from the Hansie Cronje investigation.