London, July 12 (IANS) Out of favour England batsman Kevin Pietersen has joined the bandwagon of players who believe Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir should be banned for life as he was involved in the infamous 2010 spot-fixing scandal.
"They have broken the rules, should pay the price and not be given a second chance," Pietersen wrote in The Telegraph on Tuesday.
"If you cheat the system either by taking drugs or money to under-perform then you are mugging the spectators, your teammates and a sport that has been around a lot longer than you. People always deserve a second chance in life but sport is different."
Pietersen said devaluing the sport which is ones livelihood is like breaking the 11th and 12th commandments of the Bible.
"We are paid to play a sport we love and are damn lucky to lead the life of a professional cricketer. To try and gain an advantage by taking drugs or devaluing your sport by being bribed is breaking the 11th and 12th commandments. There can be no way back," he said.
However, the 36-year-old has warned the England players and fans against provoking the left-arm pacer when he steps out at Lords this Thursday.
"He is just as quick, and as competitive as ever. He is verbal. He lets you know he is bowling at you. He will cop a load of stick off the English fans but he will not take a step back. It is going to make great viewing," Pietersen wrote.
"With guys like him verbals from the crowd or a bit of sledging from the opposition spurs him on to do great things so the fans will not be doing England any favours by giving him some abuse. (Trevor Bayliss and Alastair Cook) will realise that riling him is not a good option. If he were a batsman it would be easier to sledge him because all 11 players could get on top of him and give him some verbal abuse."
"But as a bowler he has the power. If you rile him and he takes three wickets in five balls then you look like a chump, so the England players will not be focused on Amirs past."
