Banned cricketer Amir allowed to play again

Dubai, Jan 29 (IANS) The International Cricket Council (ICC) Thursday allowed Pakistani pacer Mohammed Amir to return to domestic cricket, cutting short a five-year ban following his role in a spot-fixing scandal in 2010.

ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) gave the go ahead to Amir following the ICC Board's meeting here.

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"ACSU chairman Ronnie Flanagan, with the prior approval of the ICC Board and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has exercised his discretion to allow Mohammad Amir to return to domestic cricket played under the auspices of PCB with immediate effect," said an ICC statement.

Amir’s ban was scheduled to expire Sep 2 but Flanagan exercised the powers vested in him after he was satisfied that Amir had cooperated with ACSU by fully disclosing his role "in the matters that led to his disqualification, admitting his guilt, showing remorse and cooperating with ACSU’s ongoing investigations and by recording messages for the ACSU education sessions".

The 22-year-old Amir was banned for five years after he was found to be involved in a spot fixing scandal during Pakistan's tour of England in 2010.