PCB sends clarification to ICC on ‘Aamir playing despite suspension’ issue

LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has completed its investigation into reports that pacer Mohammad Aamir, who is currently under ICC suspension over spot-fixing claims, had bowled in a domestic match.

The board sent the report to the ICC, which had earlier asked for clarification from the PCB as to how the 18-year-old played in a match between Rawalpindi and the Pakistan Army team.

Aamir, who remains suspended along with team mates Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif on spot-fixing charges, had bowled a few overs in a club level match at a Rawalpindi stadium on Monday.

Under the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code, players suspended by the cricket-governing body are not allowed to play at international, national or even club level matches organised by the home board or its affiliated units.

The PCB maintained that it had probed Aamir’s participation in the match and found the event to be ‘unofficial’.

“The match that Aamer bowled in was an unofficial match between two club sides that are not registered with the Rawalpindi Cricket Association. It was also found that no PCB official was present at the venue when the player took part in the game,” the Daily Times quoted a PCB press release, as saying.

A few months back, the ICC had to remind the PCB about the regulations over suspended players, after Salman Butt practiced at the National Cricket Academy at Lahore. Subsequently, all three players were barred from the nets and playing facilities at the Academy.

Meanwhile, an anti-corruption tribunal heard the charges against the suspended Pakistani trio earlier this month, and a decision is due on February 5. The maximum punishment is a life ban. (ANI)