Cricket: Second chance for Pakistani bowler

Convicted spot-fixer Mohammad Amir will join the Pakistan cricket team to tour New Zealand after he was granted a visitor visa.

Immigration New Zealand considered factors including the support of the New Zealand and Pakistan boards, and that Amir had served his sentence for taking bribes to bowl deliberate no-balls in a test against England at Lord's in 2010.

Common law and common sense suggests when someone has done their time, they deserve the opportunity for redemption.

Amir is anticipating a warm Kiwi embrace.

"They love the game and are very caring, so I don't expect any harsh reaction. I have very good memories of New Zealand when I toured there in 2009," he said.

The reality is a cross-section of doubters will label Amir a cheat for life. A rhinoceros-like hide will be handy against the vitriol from puritanical patrons who have led blameless existences.

That extends to his team. Each squad member is understood to have signed a bond guaranteeing no quibbles with his selection.

Opening batsman Mohammad Hafeez opposed the pace bowler rejoining and ODI skipper Azhar Ali offered to quit the captaincy.

After debuting in 2009 as a 17-year-old, Amir became the youngest player to take 50 test wickets before a News of the World sting and subsequent court case saw him, teammate Mohammad Asif and captain Salman Butt jailed for spot-fixing in February 2011.

Amir served a five-year ban from cricket and three months' jail.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White also believed Amir deserved a second chance.

"It was a unique situation, because, at 18, he was very young. But he's been through the education programme and he's remorseful."

Since his ban, Amir has excelled in domestic first-class cricket (16 wickets at 14.87 in four matches) and the Bangladesh Premier League (14 wickets at 12.64 in nine matches).