Published: Jun 09, 2016, 08:05 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 09, 2016, 08:05 PM (IST)
Pakistan cricket authorities Thursday confirmed fast bowler Mohammad Aamer has been issued a British visa, clearing him to play in England for the first time since being convicted of spot-fixing six years ago. The 24-year-old was named in Pakistan’s squad for the four-match Test series due to start at Lord’s from July 14, the same venue where his deliberate no-balls caused a furore in the cricket world in 2010. Aamer, along with then Test captain Salman Butt and new-ball partner Mohammad Asif, were charged for bowling deliberate no-balls in return for money. The trio was banned from playing cricket at all levels for five years and jailed for six months in the UK in 2011. Full Cricket Scorecard: England vs Pakistan , 1st Test match, Pakistan tour of England, 2016
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had made a special request for Amir’s visa, which was accepted. “The PCB has been officially informed that the UK Government has approved the Visa for Amir,” the PCB said in a statement. Pakistan will hold a training camp in Hampshire before opening the tour with two three-day matches. READ: Pakistan submits Mohammad Aamer’s British visa application before tour of England
The Tests will be followed by five one-day internationals and a Twenty20. Since his ban was lifted in September last year, Amir has been in great wicket-taking form, making him an automatic choice for the England tour. Earlier, on May 20, Pakistan cricket authorities had submitted a British visa application for spot-fixing convict Aamer, with officials hopeful of a favourable ruling that will allow him to tour England in July. The left-arm quick was sentenced to six months in an English young offender institution in 2011 after pleading guilty to corruption charges for his role in spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test of 2010 — a conviction which could result in him being denied entry.
