The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected
to revise its anti-corruption code at a two-day board meeting starting
in Dubai on Sunday, allowing all banned players to feature in domestic
matches before their suspensions expire.
Abu Dhabi: Pakistan seamer Mohammad
Amir, banned and jailed for spot fixing in one of cricket's darkest
episodes, is set to be handed a dramatic return to the sport.
The
International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to revise its
anti-corruption code at a two-day board meeting starting in Dubai on
Sunday, allowing all banned players to feature in domestic matches
before their suspensions expire.
Sources told AFP that the ICC
chief executives' committee has already approved the new provision and
has recommended the full board to do the same.
Although the
revised code will apply to all banned players, it could specifically
benefit the 22-year-old Aamer, who was exiled from cricket after a
spot-fixing scandal during Pakistan's tour of England in 2010.
Amir
and pace partner Mohammad Asif, along with then Pakistan captain Salman
Butt, orchestrated deliberate no-balls in return for money during the
Lord's Test against England four years ago.
In February 2011, ICC
anti-corruption tribunal chief Michael Beloff QC, a senior English
lawyer, banned the players but also raised questions over the code and
said he would recommend a revision in cases where the minimum punishment
was five years.
Left-arm paceman Amir was banned for five years,
Butt for 10, with five suspended, and Asif for seven, with two
suspended. All three also served prison sentences.
"The ICC Board
will discuss the recommendations from the executive committee, including
in respect of a revised anti-corruption code and a revised ICC
anti-doping code," said an ICC statement.
- Richardson hint -
ICC chief executive David Richardson hinted last month that the revision to the code would feature at the November 9-10 meeting.
"There
is a provision now in the revised code which will allow a player who
has been banned internationally to play domestic cricket for a certain
period from his ban coming to an end," said former South Africa
wicketkeeper Richardson, without mentioning the length of the period.
The
ICC formed a five-man committee last year to consider the details of
the code after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) requested a relaxation
of certain conditions relating to Aamer's ban.
If the revised code is approved, a banned player will have to apply to the ICC to get permission to feature in domestic cricket.
The
ICC will seek recommendations from its Anti-Corruption and Security
Unit as well as from the home board concerned and the ICC board before
clearing the player to feature in domestic matches.
The PCB is likely to make an appeal on behalf of Amir but let Butt and Asif's bans stand as they are.
Meanwhile
the ICC board will also discuss matters relating to the Future Tours
Programme from 2015-2023, playing conditions for the 2015 World Cup and
suspected illegal bowling actions.
It will also look at matters
arising from the controversial recent decision by the West Indies to cut
short their tour of India following a dispute over payments to their
players by Caribbean cricket chiefs.
The Board of Control for
Cricket in India are seeking damages of $42 million -- a sum that could
potentially bankrupt their West Indian counterparts.
Saturday 8 November 2014
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