Cricket scandal: Amir can appeal spot-fixing jail term

Judge directs plea to be heard before November 29.

LONDON: Mohammad Amir, jailed for spot-fixing , was given permission on Friday to challenge his sentence.

The teenage fast bowler was sentenced earlier this month to six months in prison for bowling no-balls at prearranged times during a match at Lord’s in August 2010.

A judge at the Court of Appeal in London refused Amir, 19, bail but granted him permission to appeal against his sentence, the Press Association reported.

Justice Kathryn Thirlwall directed that the appeal should be heard before November 29.

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, who was sentenced to 30 months at London’s Southwark Crown Court as part of the same plot which also included opening bowler Mohammad Asif, is also seeking to appeal.

It is expected that their cases will be heard together if Butt is also granted permission to appeal.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2011.