Amir to join PCB in fighting corruption

Board chief meets banned bowler; 3 others who will undergo rehab.

KARACHI:


The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reiterated its plans of using banned fast-bowler Mohammad Amir in fighting corruption and warning the country’s cricketers about the effects of indulging in spot-fixing or match-fixing, according to the board’s chief Zaka Ashraf.


Amir called on the chairman after being informed of the PCB’s plans during the remaining period of his five-year ban by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Amir returned home three months after being jailed, having served half his sentence. According to some reports, Amir’s ban handed by the ICC could also be halved and he could be free to play cricket as early as next year.

The PCB has formulised a plan to keep the fast-bowler on track during the period.


“Along with Amir, three other cricketers will also be part of the rehabilitation process,” Ashraf told The Express Tribune. “We are searching for a good psychologist and all four will undergo treatment together.”

Zaka, however, refused to name the other three being considered to be part of the project.“Amir will then be used in a programme to lecture other players until his ICC ban ends.”

Meanwhile, although the PCB chairman had earlier said that Amir’s rehabilitation was purely the PCB’s domain, a report has suggested that the board had written to the ICC on the plans, with the board inquiring about the possibility of starting rehabilitation and counselling work on Amir almost a month ago.

The PCB is yet to receive the governing body’s response.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21st, 2012.
Load Next Story