Sports

‘Amir, Butt, Asif might not get UK visas’

PCB Chairman admits board is facing resistance in allowing trio to travel to England

Our Correspondent May 01, 2016

PHOTO: REUTERS

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan, yesterday, revealed that the board is facing resistance from Australia, England and New Zealand in allowing the disgraced trio of Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif to play for the national side in the upcoming tour of England in the summer.

There have been serious question marks over whether Amir and Butt would be allowed entry in the UK following their involvement in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal with a leading cricket website, ESPNcricinfo, indicating that the PCB would face difficulty in getting the UK visa for the above-mentioned players.

When asked by the media in Lahore whether the PCB could get visas for Butt, Amir and Mohammad Asif, Shaharyar replied: “We understand that there is resistance from England, Australia and New Zealand on allowing these three players to feature in tours to these countries. They are ready to forgive Amir but not the other two,” revealed Shaharyar.

UK government could block Salman Butt’s return to international cricket

The Chairman, however, added that the players would first have to make their place in the national side before any visa-related issues are dealt with.“But it’s a matter of getting selected first. We will have to wait to see whether they get selected or not. If they are selected, then we’ll look into this matter to sort it out,” he added.

Butt came close to getting selected for the World T20 as former head coach Waqar Younis wanted him instead of Ahmad Shahzad and Khurram Manzoor.

However, skipper Shahid Afridi, who was strongly against Butt’s inclusion in the side, intervened and Shahzad was selected on basis of his good performances in the recently-concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Muhammad Amir might face visa issues for England tour

Meanwhile, Shaharyar further revealed that West Indies have agreed to play one day-night Test on their tour of the UAE, while he also backed the idea of having a sixth team in the second edition of the PSL.

The PCB chief also added that he will soon form a new cricket committee after discussions with the Board of Governors.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2016.

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COMMENTS (13)

mirestan | 7 years ago | Reply PCB wants visa for master planner and organizer of spot fixing Mr Butt and Asif. Amir is the guy who admitted and was a crown witness.His wife is a British citizen. How they can deny visa too Amer.

KJ | 7 years ago | Reply Britian is happy to host killer(s) Altaf Hussain forever. But not to welcome sportsman who was ashamed of his wrongdoing in first place, and even completed his punishment. long live the justice.

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Parvez | 7 years ago | Reply ...but they gave Altaf Bhai a British Passport......ironic.

Hedgefunder | 7 years ago | Reply @ILYAS ANWAR: Get real ! Its simply a legal issue in UK, We Do Not Allow Convicted Criminals, who have served Jail time at our expense back in the Country ! Being a lawyer, i will take any bet, that its not going to happen ! Rest assure.

Khalid Saeed | 7 years ago | Reply really confusing. New Zealand allowed Amir to play in the New Zealand and now this report suggest that New Zealand is putting up resistance.

Nasir | 7 years ago | Reply Excellent decision which sends out a strong message - we don't want criminals coming to Britain

Shah | 7 years ago | Reply I wrote about this problem that the trio will face few years ago when talk started about getting Amir back into the side. I had suggested that Amir should take a different professional line as he had time to study in college or university. Alas he did not do any such thing. Most of the western countries have rules on not allowing people convicted of crimes to enter their borders unless they apply for a pardon and get the same. Many rap singers from USA can not enter Canada because of their criminal past. Anyway these three will need to apply for a waiver everytime they apply for a visa for some of these countries. It is a long process!!!!

ILYAS ANWAR | 7 years ago | Reply IF England denies Visa to our SuperStar Cricketer Amir it should be interpreted as deliberately weakening our team to gain as undue advantage. I personally don't think England will stoop that low but if they do then Mr.Sharyar must StandUp to defend Amir and CANCEL the tour to England.

Blackwater | 7 years ago | Reply This is the case these days that Pakistanis couldn't reach either any western country or MARS!! Why not arrange them chinese visas as western countries have zero tolerance for corruption or terrorism charges!

NITS | 7 years ago | Reply If this is the treatment being meted out to Pakistani sportstars abroad, then who will raise the case of ordinary pakistanis, as a great deal of visas being denied to them or being deported from the western nations!

Sodomite | 7 years ago | Reply Corruption in the PCB like the rest of the country, has destroyed Cricket in Pakistan. In England they have laws that govern the country, unlike Pakistan where everything goes and nothing good remains.

Brekhna | 7 years ago | Reply However, PCB chairman and his family will definitely get visa for a joyride.

Kickass | 7 years ago | Reply They still have dignity. The English I mean.

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