Mohammad Amir hopes to inspire Essex to the County Championship title after revealing the extent to which new team-mate Alastair Cook has attempted to welcome him.
The fast bowler has joined his new team after excelling for Pakistan during their victory at the ICC Champions Trophy.
He is scheduled to make his debut for the championship leaders on Monday against Middlesex, the latest development in a career almost undermined by a conviction for spot-fixing in 2010 that led to a five-year ban.
When last summer Amir was granted a visa to tour England, then-England Test captain Cook insisted match-fixers should be banned for life to protect the sport's integrity.
In November it was then confirmed Amir would join him at Essex, but instead of any potential hostility, the new arrival insists their relationship is already "very good".
"I met him the first day when I arrived and he was very nice," the 25-year-old said. "He said to me, the funny thing, 'I want to learn Urdu (Amir's native tongue), so you have to teach me'.
"No (there are no issues between us), nothing.
"He's always nice and always very supportive. Everybody knows he's a good batsman and a very nice human being, so I think it will be a very good journey with him.
"The way the people treat me, they are very nice to me; the way they gave me a reception was very, very inspiring for me."
Pakistan's 180-run victory over India in Sunday's final at The Oval perhaps represents Amir's greatest success since his return, and he said: "That was a career booster.
"The way I performed in the final for my country feels very, very good, I don't have words for that.
"After the way we won the final, your confidence will go up, and I will use that, definitely.
"It will be a very good summer for me; my first time playing county cricket. I've met good people here and hope it will be a good journey.
"For me it's a good sign for the debut game I'm playing with a pink ball because the pink ball does swing a lot, it helps.
"That was difficult for me, because when I came back, I was doing well, but I wasn't satisfied with my performance. I was bowling well, but I wasn't getting wickets; that's why I'm settled down now.
"Some people (in Pakistan) are angry (at this transfer) because they said 'You should come home first', but it's a good opportunity for me, my career.
"It's the standard of cricket. County cricket is going up; this standard you can't find anywhere else. I can improve my cricket; that was the reason to come here.
"I do believe (I can help deliver a championship). When you do basics right anything is possible. I can try my best, so let's see what's going to happen next."
Source: PA
