Amir's reintegration going smoothly: Shaharyar Khan

Karachi: He might have been booed by fans in his comeback, but tainted pacer Mohammad Amir's reintegration into the Pakistan dressing room is going ahead smoothly, PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan has said.

"The board is fully supportive of Amir and he is now adjusting well into the team. His reintegration in the dressing room is going smoothly," Khan said.

Amir enjoyed the best spell since his comeback to the team this month by taking three wickets against New Zealand in a T20 match but had to limp off with a calf strain and also faced taunts from some spectators at the Basin Reserve.

At one stage his teammate Mohammad Hafeez came to his rescue when Amir, while fielding at third man, had to face taunts from a spectator who waved dollar bills at him.

"Obviously what happened today is disturbing for Amir and the team but mentally they are prepared for these things and are strong enough to deal with such situations," Khan said.

Amir returned to the Pakistan team for the tour to New Zealand after serving a five-year ban for spot fixing.

A source in the team told PTI it was Hafeez, who noticed the spectator waving dollar bills at Amir, brought this to the notice of the umpires and the security officials with the team.

"The spectator was than given a firm warning by the groundstaff and security. But Amir has tried to take it on the chin but is disturbed," the source said.

Ironically, Hafeez and Azhar Ali had protested publicly over Aamir's return to the national camp last month but the source said they were now helping Amir reintegrate into the squad.

"Amir has repeatedly apologised to them and the rest of the players and has promised he will become a role model from now on."

Shaharyar Khan also made it clear the board would back Amir and dismissed speculation over Amir bowling a wide off his first delivery back in ODIs.

Ironically, Amir had also bowled a wide in the first T20 international against New Zealand.