Troubled left arm seamer Mohammad Amir is ready to return to the international arena, Pakistan cricket coach Waqar Younis says.
The Pakistan fast bowler and convicted spot fixer Mohammad Amir. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Amir was banned from playing all forms of cricket for five years after bowling deliberate no balls in England in 2010. He also served a jail term for the spot fixing.
The 23-year-old has been included in Pakistan's squad to face the Black Caps in three T20s and three ODIs, which begin in Auckland on Friday.
Younis said Amir's teammates had welcomed him back, and so should everyone else.
"We've got to allow him to come back, we've got to think positive as a team and I feel that the media has got to be positive about him.
"He's paid his price, what he has done, and we are ready to take him."
Younis said Amir's game had improved since the last time he was in New Zealand back in 2009.
"Even at the age of 18 you saw him bowl and he was smart then, he definitely knows what he's doing and he's ready for it."
Amir's captain, Shahid Afridi, reiterated Younis' comments.
"He's doing a great job, he continues to play elite cricket. He's in very good touch, I think he's performing well, he's behaving well so I think he's totally focussed on cricket."
Black Caps bowling coach Dimitri Mascarenhas said he had no qualms with Amir's inclusion in the upcoming series.
"He's been, he's done his time, he's been cleared to play so we'll just get on with it and play against him."