Amir’s rehab is the PCB’s domain: Ashraf

Board chairman says ICC ban does not bar pacer’s rehabilitation.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning a rehabilitation process for Mohammad Amir which would include providing him psychological assistance following his return to the country.

Amir, who is expected to arrive in Pakistan on February 25, was released from the Young Offenders Institute halfway into his six-month sentence.

The PCB, which refused to assist Amir with his appeal against the five-year ban by the International Cricket Council, was keen on rehabilitation work with the banned bowler.

“Amir is young and talented and there’s mutual understanding among board officials to offer him assistance,” a PCB official told The Express Tribune. “We’ve started the planning but it’s yet to be finalised.”

ICC has only banned Amir’s cricketing activity: Zaka

Earlier, the PCB said the rehabilitation work would be undertaken with the ICC’s consent.

The governing body has barred Amir from all cricketing activity but it is unclear whether the sanction allows member boards to help banned cricketers in anyway.

However, PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf felt the board was independent in making the decision.

“Amir’s rehabilitation is the PCB’s domain,” said Ashraf. “The ICC ban only restricts him from cricketing activity. When we talk about Amir’s rehabilitation, it means psychological treatment to educate him.”

Meanwhile, Waqar Younis, who was the coach during the England tour, called for reducing the five-year ban on Amir, since the pacer admitted and regretted his offence.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2012.