Published: Feb 02, 2015, 09:22 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 02, 2015, 09:22 PM (IST)
Karachi: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shahryar Khan had defended the return of banned pace bowler Mohammad Aamer to domestic cricket but a petition was taken up for hearing in the Sindh High Court against the permission given to him to play cricket again.
Justice Mazhar Ali has formed a two-member bench to hear the petition filed by a citizen and has set the next date of hearing for February 16. “The court has admitted the petition for hearing and have directed the Chairman of the PCB, Aamir and other officials to appear for the next hearing,” the lawyer for the petitioner said.
The court has been asked to issue an order restraining Aamir or any of two other banned players for spot fixing, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif to play cricket again. “Aamir and the others brought shame to Pakistan and spoilt its cricket image,” the petitioner has said.
But in Lahore on Monday, Shahryar insisted that Aamer, 22, had satisfied the International Cricket Council (ICC) and also served his punishment before he got any reprieve from them to play domestic cricket. “From the start, Aamir was remorseful about what he had done and cooperated fully with the ICC anti-corruption unit and with us. That is why he has been given a chance to play domestic cricket. We didn’t fast track his case. It took us nearly over a year to get the permission from the ICC,” Khan said.
“There is no doubt that Aamer has shown himself to be a reformed person and he cooperated all along. But even then the PCB will be monitoring his behaviour and activities when he resumes playing domestic cricket,” Khan added.
