NZ stadium announcer admonished for disrespectfully taunting Amir
Amir's return to international cricket has received mixed response from cricket community.
Wellington (Web Desk) - New Zealand Cricket on Wednesday has reprimanded heavily stadium announcer for taunting tainted fast bowler Mohammad Amir during third Twenty20 against NZ, reported espncricinfo.
The announcer Mark McLeod, who has served the board for so long, had played a cash register sound effect during one of Amir’s spells at Westpac Stadium.
While NZC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David White stated that he has apologised from Pakistan and assured to have publicly admonished McLeod.
I think [playing the sound effect] was inappropriate and disrespectful, and has the effect of trivialising one of the biggest issues facing cricket at the moment," White told Fairfax New Zealand. "I ve contacted the Pakistan team management to apologise, and to assure them there will be no repeat."
On the other hand, Amir’s return to national and international cricket has received mixed response from the people including cricketers with a few supporting him while some publicly expressing disapproval.
According to reports, some of NZ fans were waving cash at Amir when he was near the boundary during first one-day international at the Basin Reserve. The enraged fans also yelled ‘I ve got a dollar for you’.
While the crowd also cheered for Mohammad Amir in his first match at Eden Park.
"A member of the public in the stands having a bit of banter and humour - it s different," White told. "We can t direct people how to behave all the time. There s a line of drunken disorderly abusive behaviour but stadiums are full of people in groups together, around the world there is banter. I guess there is the line that people need to stay within."
The 23-year-old bowler is performing in his first international tour after bearing his suspension and punishment in spot-fixing case in 2010.
