Felt good that Mustafizur considers me his idol, says Pakistan's Mohammad Aamir

Gearing up for a comeback to international cricket in three months time, Pakistan’s banned left-arm pacer Mohammad Aamir said he felt happy to learn that new Bangladesh pace sensation Mustafizur Rehman idolises him. A left armer like Aamir, Rehman ripped through strong Indian batting line-up in the first two match of three-ODI series, taking a total of 11 wickets. Rehman, whose brilliant performance helped Bangladesh post first ever series victory over India, said: “Mohammad Aamir is my idol. I just follow the bowling of Aamir. His spot-fixing allegations don’t bother me.” [caption id=“attachment_2307108” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File picture of Mustafizur Rahman (C). AFP[/caption] Reacting to Rehman’s comments, Aamir said he felt honoured to learn that someone wanted to be a bowler like him. “I felt so good to hear what Mustafizur had to say and I must say he is set for a great career because he is not an easy bowler to reckon with. He has all the weapons and he appears to have good cricketing sense,” Aamir, who is currently playing in a top Ramazan T20 tournament in Faisalabad, said. Stating that he was impressed with the way Bangladesh had defeated Pakistan and India in their recent one-day series, Aamir said: “They appear to have developed more self belief and confidence and they have good youngsters coming up. Rehman has added lot of spike to their bowling.” Banned for spot fixing in early 2011, Aamir is all set to return to international cricket after his five-year ban ends in September. The International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption and security unit has already allowed relaxation to Aamir under its revised anti-corruption code and allowed him to play domestic cricket. Aamir, who recently joined the strong Sui Southern Gas team and appeared for them in Faisalabad, said he was working very hard on his fitness and bowling. “As I get closer to finally seeing my ban end I am preparing hard for a possible comeback to international cricket. The competition has increased in top level since I last played in 2010, so one has to work harder,” Aamir said. He also noted that in the last four years the number of left-arm pace bowlers have increased in international cricket. “With cricket, especially ODIs and T20 cricket having undergone changes, obviously I know I have to comeback a much improved bowler in domestic cricket for a start,” Aamir said. PTI