International Cricket Council (ICC) has allowed Pakistani fast bowler Muhammad Aamir to play domestic cricket, spokesman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said here Thursday. The decision was taken at an ICC meeting held in Dubai. Mohammad Aamir has been allowed to return to domestic cricket under the auspices of the PCB with immediate effect, he added.
It may be noted that the ICC had imposed a five year ban on Muhammad Aamir on his involvement in the spot fixing. Aamir's five-year ban for his role in spot-fixing during Pakistan's tour of England in 2010 was due to end on September 2, 2015. After the decision, Aamir said, "I have been playing some unregistered club cricket but the sort of body I have I think it won't take much time to get the momentum. I think a month and half will be enough for me to stand up. Being a fast bowler, I have all the varieties and ability to bowl both in-swing and out-swing, so what I need now is to work hard."
The ICC after its board meeting in Dubai says, "The ACSU Chairman [Ronnie Flanagan] had exercised the powers vested in him under Article 6.8 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code after he was satisfied that Aamir had co-operated with the ACSU by fully disclosing his part in the matters that led to his disqualification, admitting his guilt, showing remorse and co-operating with the Unit's ongoing investigations and by recording messages for the ACSU education sessions."
It may be noted that the PCB had written a letter to the ICC in November, requesting the governing body to review the conditions of Aamir's ban. As per the new anti-corruption code, banned players could be allowed to return to domestic cricket before the end of their penalty if they meet certain criteria.
The ICC later interviewed Aamir to determine if they could find any difference in the player. In the last four years, Aamir had completed an Anti Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) education program with PCB. With the Pakistan domestic season about to finish before starting again in October, Aamir's only chance of competitive cricket would be a possible return in the Super Eight T20 Cup in Pakistan after the World Cup.