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Mohammad Amir: After Shahid Afridi, now Brendon McCullum backs pacer's return

Amir was only 18 when he handed a five-year ban from cricket in 2011 for his involvement in spot fixing.

Mohammad Amir: After Shahid Afridi, now Brendon McCullum backs pacer's return

New Delhi: A day after Pakistan's T20 skipper Shahid Afridi voiced support for Mohammad Amir, the pacer return to the Pakistan side was on Sunday backed by retiring Kiwi legend Brendon McCullum.

Earlier in the week, the 23-year-old was named in the Pakistan squad for the New Zealand tour where they will play three T20Is and three ODIs against the hosts.

Though some members of the Pakistan side are unhappy with Amir's selection, the New Zealand skipper defended the player's return to the national side.

"He was a very young man at the time and he's gone through a sound rehabilitation program," McCullum said.

"If he gets out on the field against us, then you play against the man you're playing against, not a man who may have made some mistakes as a youngster," he further added.

Amir was only 18 when he handed a five-year ban from cricket in 2011 for his involvement in spot fixing.

He also served three months of a six month prison term.

His ban, imposed by the International Cricket Council, has now ended and McCullum said Sunday he should be allowed to resume his career.

(With Agency inputs)