Amir plays first club cricket match in over four years

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AFP
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Amir plays first club cricket match in over four years
LAHORE/KARACHI: Former Pakistan paceman Mohammad Amir on Saturday played his first club cricket match in over four years – days after the sport’s top governing body allowed him to return to domestic cricket.

The left-armer picked up three wickets for 27 runs, as well as 33 runs with the bat while playing for Lahore University of Engineering and Technology (UET) in Lahore.

I will come back into rhythm gradually, he told Geo News exclusively following the match.

The 22-year-old was on Thursday cleared to play in domestic cricket by International Cricket Council, bringing him a step closer to redemption for his part in one of the most scandalous episodes in modern cricket.

Amir was one of three Pakistani players banned from the game for at least five years for arranging no-balls to order in a Test against England at Lord’s in 2010.

He was also jailed in Britain in 2011, along with former capital Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif.

Amir’s ban was due to expire on September 2, but the International Cricket Council used discretionary powers to allow him to return to domestic cricket early.

Amir not being fast-tracked into international cricket: PCB chairman

Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief denied that Amir was being fast-tracked back into international cricket after the five-year ban, saying he will be monitored “on and off the field” before his re-entry.

PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan denied that Amir was going to be rushed back into international cricket, saying that he will have to "earn his place in the Pakistan team".

"Some people believe that we have fast-tracked his return," he said.

“In the period before his ban expires – and even after that – Amir will be constantly monitored on and off the field... He has to satisfy the PCB and the ACSU (the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit) before getting into international cricket.”

Khan said Amir was being shown some leniency because he had shown more remorse for his part in the scandal than Butt and Asif.

"Amir pleaded guilty, showed remorse throughout the last four years, but the other two players did not," said Khan.

The decision to allow left-armer Amir – who at the time of his ban was regarded as one of the hottest young bowling prospects in cricket – comes as Pakistan is seeking to boost its status in the game.

The country has been a ‘no go’ area for international teams since terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009.

"We want to build Kenya’s tour," said Khan, referring to the African team’s visit to Pakistan last month, adding that his board is also talking to national teams from the Netherlands, Nepal and Namibia.

"Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe have promised to send their junior teams, so we are in the process of bringing more teams to Pakistan."—AFP