Amir admits to playing despite ban

ICC investigating the left-armer's appearance in league match.

LONDON:

Banned Pakistan fast-bowler Mohammad Amir admitted that he played for a Surrey club on Saturday after reports that the left-armer may have breached a five-year ban that was imposed on him by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The 19-year-old confirmed the report that he played for Addington 1743 in a Surrey Cricket League Division One game, but said that he was told by the club that as it was only a friendly match it will not flout the ICC ban.

"I asked the club representatives if the match fell under the jurisdiction of the ECB and they informed me that it didn't," he said. "They told me that it was a friendly match and wouldn't contravene my ban. I wouldn't be stupid enough to knowingly play in a match that would contravene my ban."

The ICC has already begun an investigation and its spokesman Colin Gibson confirmed that Amir's ban "is absolutely worldwide covering all levels and any activities connected with cricket".

"We're investigating and awaiting the details," said Gibson. "If true, it's a breach of the sanction."

Earlier this year, the ICC accused Amir of playing a practice match in Pindi Stadium between two local teams. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) claimed that the match was unofficial and was therefore not in violation of the code of conduct.

Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt were arrested after being accused of playing deliberate no-balls in the fourth Test match at London’s Lord’s Cricket Ground last August and barred them from participating in the game at any recognised level.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 9^th, 2011.