Amir set for dramatic return
Pakistan seamer Mohammad Amir, who was jailed and banned from cricket over his involvement in spot fixing, is expected to make a dramatic return to the sport.
Pakistan seamer Mohammad Amir, who was jailed and banned from cricket over his involvement in spot fixing, is expected to make a dramatic return to the sport.
On Sunday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to revise its anti-corruption code during their two-day board meeting in Dubai, which would allow players that banned from playing internationally to participate in domestic matches until their suspensions expire.
AFP reports that executives' committee has already approved the new provision and will recommend that the full board follow suit.
While the new provision will be applicable to all players that are suspended, the 22-year-old Amir will benefit in particular since a return to international cricket would be a distinct possibility for him.
His Pakistani team-mates Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt, who were all suspended following a spot-fixing scandal during Pakistan's tour of England in 2010, will be eligible for a return as well, but due to their age, a return to international cricket seems unlikely.
The then-ICC anti-corruption tribunal chief Michael Beloff QC in 2011 banned the three players but raised questions over the code, and recommended that amendments were made for cases where the minimum punishment was five years.
Amir received a five-year ban, Butt got 10 years of which five were suspended, and Asif seven of which two were suspended.
All three spent some time in prison as well.
"The ICC Board will discuss the recommendations from the executive committee, including in respect of a revised anti-corruption code and a revised ICC anti-doping code," said an ICC statement.
ICC chief executive David Richardson suggested last month that a revision to the code could be on the agenda during the November meeting.
"There is a provision now in the revised code which will allow a player who has been banned internationally to play domestic cricket for a certain period from his ban coming to an end," Richardson said.
Should the code be approved, Amir would have to apply to the ICC to get permission to play domestically again.
The PCB is likely to make an appeal on behalf of Amir, but it seems unlikely that they will do the same for Asif and Butt.
Other topics on the agenda are the Future Tours Programme, suspected illegal bowling actions and the playing conditions for the 2015 World Cup.
Latest
-
NewsBoris Johnson sympathises with Ollie Robinson after ‘over the top’ suspension
Robinson has been suspended over historical tweets but the Prime Minister agreed with Oliver Dowden’s assessment the ECB has gone ‘over the top’.
-
NewsOllie Robinson given no assurances about England future after investigation
The seamer issued an apology for racist and sexist tweets he posted in 2012 and 2013 that were shared online on the day he made his Test bow.
-
NewsCulture Secretary Oliver Dowden: Ollie Robinson’s punishment over the top
Robinson has been suspended from all international cricket pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation.
-
NewsEngland take safety-first approach to ensure first Test ends in draw at Lord’s
Dominic Sibley scored an unbeaten 60 to guide the home side to a share of the spoils.
-
NewsEngland seamer Ollie Robinson suspended pending investigation into tweets
Tweets containing racist and sexist terms were sent on the bowler’s account in 2012 and 2013.
-
NewsJoe Root admits there was never a ‘realistic opportunity’ for England victory
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson tried to tempt England in the final two sessions by declaring during lunch, setting a victory target of 273.
-
NewsYorkshire secure dramatic victory over Sussex to remain in race for the title
Four wickets from Dom Bess helped the Tykes eventually break the resistance of the visitors’ lower order.
-
NewsEngland hold on for draw in first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s
A grandstand finish failed to materialise and the series heads to Edgbaston all square.
-
NewsEngland 56 for two chasing 273 on final day of first Test against New Zealand
The Lord’s encounter looks to be heading for a draw.
-
NewsNew Zealand up the ante at Lord’s as England face a challenging target
The tourists are likely to declare at some point this afternoon to leave England the probability of batting to save the Test.