PCB writes to ICC seeking early reintegration of Mohammad Amir

Mohammad Amir was found guilty of spot-fixing in 2010

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) asking them to review the spot-fixing ban imposed on left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir. The PCB, in their letter, have requested the ICC to allow the 22-year old to play domestic cricket before his five-year ban ends in September next year. Amir had pleaded guilty during the criminal investigation that was conducted in London.

"The PCB has officially sent a letter to ICC, asking it to review the ban on Mohammad Amir in light of the revision in the [ICC's] anti-corruption code," a PCB spokesperson told ESPN Cricinfo.

As per the governing body’s revised anti-corruption code, if the banned player meets certain criteria, he could be allowed to play in domestic matches before his ban term ends. Another feature that he been introduced in the code is giving a player a chance to admit an offence early in the process and agree a penalty to avoid the need for a tribunal process.

The letter was directed to the chairman of the ICC anti-corruption unit, Ronnie Flanagan, who has the decision to sanction the early reintegration of the players after taking into account several factors such as level of repentance shown by the player, their cooperation with the ACSU’s education programme and how obliging the player was with regards to revealing relevant information.

Amir has satisfied all the needed conditions

The PCB feels that Amir has satisfied all the above conditions, and hence, can resume playing the game at the domestic level.

However, the other two players, Salman Butt and Mohammed Asif, who were handed out longer ban periods, haven’t received the same kind of support as Amir has since the board felt the duo continued to plead innocent despite there being evidence of their involvement in the spot-fixing case.