Sports

PCB yet to approach ICC over Amir’s international career: Shahryar Khan

Khan to meet ambassadors of all cricket-playing countries on Feb 12 to urge them to send teams to Pakistan

Web Desk February 02, 2015

PHOTO: AFP

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shahryar Khan said on Monday the PCB has not yet approached the International Cricket Council regarding Mohammad Amir’s international career.

“Amir has fulfilled his legal requirements and is ashamed at his past deeds,” the PCB chairman said, welcoming an early reprieve for a return to domestic cricket following Amir's cooperation with anti-corruption officials. The decision to relax his ban came after two years of efforts by the PCB.

“Amir has cooperated with the PCB and the ICC, and paid the price for his mistakes,” Shahryar added.

Overjoyed at the news, Amir had said it was the biggest news of his life and promised to return a better human.

“It was the most difficult phase of my life but I am sure it’s over now and I am keen to return to international grounds,” he said.

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Amir were all banned for spot-fixing during Pakistan’s tour of England in 2010, particularly for incidents during the fourth test at Lord’s.

International cricket in Pakistan

Shifting his focus to foreign teams playing in Pakistan, the PCB chairman said he was going to Islamabad on February 12 where he has called upon ambassadors of all cricket-playing countries.

“I will brief the ambassadors that Pakistan is safe so they can convince their governments to send their teams here.”

Regarding safety for the teams, Shahryar said, “We will make foreign teams live close to the stadiums so they do not have to travel much.”

Shahryar lamented the attack on the Sri Lanka team in March 2009. The attack took place as the Sri Lankan team was heading towards Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore on an international tour.

Further, he said he held bilateral talks with Bangladesh and India.

“India has said they stand by the MoUs signed but they have to consult the new government.”

In May 2014 Pakistan announced it had agreed to play six full series of cricket against India with official backing, four of which will be hosted by Pakistan -- the first since the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks suspended play between the teams.

Pakistan is expected to host four of the matches over the next eight years, after the cricket board said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with India on the issue, and pending a legal agreement.

COMMENTS (5)

Pakistani | 9 years ago | Reply The guy has suffered enough and served his punishment. Now we need to move on and he should receive all possible help from PCB to re-establish him in international cricket. Even people like Shane Warne of Austrailia served a ban by ICC for taking illegal substances.

Hassan Wali | 9 years ago | Reply Wow - Those who have brought so much insult to the nation in world and because of whom even honest Pakistanis are not trusted anyone, are promised to be given another chance! Why? Can their return undo what they have caused to the whole nation?