The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially requested a reprieve for the banned Mohammad Amir from the International Cricket Council (ICC) in light of new anti-corruption laws came which into effect this month.
The new laws allow a player to return to domestic cricket before his original ban ends if given approval by the ICC board the player’s domestic governing body and the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unti (ASCU) chairman.
The PCB has increased efforts for the return of Amir and it was their vigorous lobbying which led to amendments in anti-corruption laws on a fast-track basis.
“We’ve officially written to the ICC seeking reprieve for Amir so that he can return to domestic cricket at the beginning of next year,” a senior PCB official told Sport360.
“The letter has been written in auspices of PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan who is our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) according to ICC protocol. No one else can right to ICC in such cases, not even our Chief Operating Officer (COO) Subhan Ahmed who is second to Chairman. We hope that Amir will be allowed an early because of his conduct and cooperation during his ban.”
Amir was banned and jailed for spot fixing a Lords Test against England in 2010 along with Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif, in one of cricket’s darkest moments. The left-armer’s ban is due to end in September 2015.
However, the PCB is hopeful that Amir will be able to feature in domestic cricket sooner.
Butt and Asif has also asked the PCB to fight their case but have been told to properly complete their rehabilitation process before the board considers lending them their support.
Butt recently met PCB Chairman Shaharyar to know what exactly he needs to fulfill the requirements to get an early respite from his sever year ban.
“[Butt] has been asking for help from PCB but the fact is he needs to help himself by completing a proper rehab. We’ve sent him a document which clearly explains what he needs to do but I don’t think PCB will take up his case with ICC anytime soon,” the official added.
“As far as Amir is concerned, there is a soft corner but the ICC have serious reservations against both Butt and Asif. PCB will only pursue Amir’s case on priority basis right now.”
