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 Champions Trophy triumph.

He made 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 Amir was granted a visa to tour England last summer, 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 says their relationship is already “very good”.

“I met him the first day when I arrived and he was very nice,” said the 25-year-old.

“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 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.”

Amir got off to the perfect start as he claimed a wicket during his first over as an England bowler.

But Amir admitted the move has not gone down well in his homeland.

Amir said: “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 and this standard of cricket you can’t find anywhere else.

“I can improve my cricket and that was the reason to come here.

“I do believe (I can help deliver a Championship).

“When you do the basics right anything is possible. Let’s see what’s going to happen.”

>Simon Harmer blasted a massive hole in Warwickshire’s batting at Chelmsford to take the first 14-wicket haul of his career and move Essex clear at the top of the County Championship last week.

Harmer took eight second-innings wickets for 36 runs - career-best figures for an innings - to finish with figures of 14 for 128.

Essex won by a resounding innings and 164 runs.

Ravi Bopara hit a stunning 192 for Essex in their innings.

They are currently playing Middlesex in the County Championship, in the first day/night trial with the pink ball.