Fast bowler Mohammad Amir came agonisingly close to a hat-trick in his return to domestic cricket on Friday after a ban of four-and-a-half years . Amir removed opening batsman Naved Malik and Ali Sarfraz off successive deliveries in his fourth over of a grade-two match , one level below first-class cricket . He still took three wickets in his first six-over spell at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium , conceding 23 runs . However , his second spell was ineffective as the left-armer was smashed for 31 runs in three overs without success . Mohammad Amir ( centre ) took three wickets in on his comeback on Friday after his four-and-a-half year ban . ' I always try to make batsmen play as much as possible , ' he said . ' I am trying to give 100 percent , but to be honest with you , it 's not easy after all these years . It 's like starting from zero . ' Amir was banned from all cricket after pleading guilty in 2010 to charges of bowling deliberate no-balls at pre-arranged times to fix spot betting markets , while playing for Pakistan in a Test against England at Lord 's . The International Cricket Council shortened his five-year ban in January , for his cooperation with its anti-corruption and security unit . The 22-year-old Amir made a delayed return when his match last Tuesday was washed out . He 's playing for Omar Associates in the three-day Patron 's Trophy . 'Four and a half years ago I was at my peak , and I ca n't get back those years , ' Amir said . 'But as a Muslim , I believe there 's always a lesson in life . I ca n't rewind those years but I should avail what time I have ahead of me . ' Amir ( left ) almost took a hat-trick in his opening spell but did manage to take three wickets for 23 runs . He has at least two more three-day matches in the tournament , then plans to play in domestic T20 tournament next month . ' I delivered 90 percent of my deliveries where I wanted to . The inswingers which were there in 2009 are still coming up nicely , ' he added with a broad smile . Amir has received a mixed response about his international future . Former Pakistan board chairman Tauqir Zia and ex-captain Ramiz Raja say he should n't represent Pakistan again because he 's tainted . But Amir seems to be unruffled by the critics . He has set his sights on Pakistan 's series against India in December . Amir ( left ) was banned from all cricket in 2010 for spot-fixing during Pakistan 's Test vs England at Lord 's . 'Who does n't want to play against India ? ' Amir said . 'It 's a dream of every Pakistani cricketer to play against India , and my aim is to give performances , stay fit , and get selected . ' He was considered Pakistan 's next great bowler , having taken 51 wickets in 14 tests at an average of 29.09 , and 25 wickets in 15 one-day internationals at an average of 24 . He also had 23 wickets in 18 Twenty20s . Sabih Azhar , the coach of Rawalpindi Rams , for whom Amir will play in the T20 tournament next month , supported Amir 's return . 'He certainly deserves one more chance , ' Azhar told The Associated Press after watching Amir from the boundary line at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium . 'He 's ready for international cricket , and his body language clearly tells you that he 's hungry to do well for Pakistan . ' Amir has set his sights on making an international return for Pakistan 's series against India in December .
Mohammad Amir took three wickets in a grade-two match on 2010 . 22-year-old was banned from all cricket in Friday for spot-fixing . Amir was found guilty to charges of bowling deliberate no-balls at pre-arranged times during a Test for Pakistan against England at Lord 's .