Redemption and a 'new life' for Amir

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has suggested a strong performance by Mohammad Amir at Lord's will help to put his spot-fixing past behind him and acknowledged taking the match-winning wicket could signal the beginning of a "new life" for the young fast bowler.

Amir was the centre of attention for the first Test against England, after he deliberately bowled no-balls at the London venue in 2010, subsequently serving a five-year ban as well as a short prison sentence.

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Now part of a three-man left-arm Pakistan pace attack, Amir bowled with lively pace throughout the series opener and while he didn't move the ball as prodigiously as he did in a tour match against Somerset, the 24-year-old was the most consistent of the trio in this Test.

Amir claimed three wickets in his return to the Home of Cricket, including the match-sealer when he clean bowled No.11 Jake Ball to send the tourists into euphoric celebrations.

It delivered Pakistan what is sure to go down as a famous victory and Misbah believes Amir's role in the win has put him on the path to redemption.

"That was a special moment for him," the Pakistan skipper told reporters after play. "That could be the start of a new life.

"I hope that he will (continue to) perform like that and proves to everybody he can really be a good man now, a good cricketer and grow into a good human being. That's the only way.

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"He's so lucky that he got another chance and I think now it's a new life for him, a new start."

Both Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur and bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed admitted Amir was nervous going into his first Test in six years.

The former Australia coach Arthur claimed Amir was so tense before his opening spell he could hardly grip the new Dukes ball.

Amir had been greeted on his return by a pair of Stuart Broad bouncers and was struck on the helmet by the second.

After a wayward first spell, the 24-year-old had Alastair Cook dropped twice behind the wicket before he finally got his man when the England captain chopped on for 81.

And having observed Amir's comeback through first-class cricket in Pakistan and then in the World Twenty20 in India, Misbah said he had no doubts over the left-armer's ability to jump straight back into international cricket.

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"I never saw him nervous," the 42-year-old said of the pace sensation. "Right from the word go when he came into the Pakistan team he was bowling like he was six years before.

"In first-class and in the T20s, he was bowling really well also.

"He's a confident boy. I was really confident it was not going to trouble him. He can handle that pressure."

And Misbah believes we may be yet to see the best of Amir.

"I think he will definitely get better," he said. "There may have been some kind of mental block because of what has happened at here at this venue.

"Obviously, it comes into your mind but now it's over he can really be more effective in the Pakistan team."