Amir's troubles increased, ECB says match official

London: Banned Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir's troubles compounded with the England and Wales Cricket Board on Friday confirming his appearance in an official club match last week and he now runs the risk of his ICC sanction being increased.

The 19-year-old pacer claimed that he was under the impression that it was an unofficial match and will not contravene the terms of his ban by the ICC. © AFP

The ECB also announced a probe into the circumstances under which Amir, who was banned for five years by ICC for spot-fixing during Pakistan's tour of England last August, played for Addington in a Surrey Cricket League Division One match on June 4.
Amir now runs the risk of his ban being extended if the ICC finds him guilty of breaching the terms of sanction. ICC had said that Amir's five year ban was world-wide and applies to all levels of cricket.
In a press release, the ECB said the Surrey League fixture was an official match and requested Surrey Cricket Board to assist it in the investigation.
"The ECB has requested Surrey Cricket Board to assist it in its investigation of the circumstances surrounding the Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Amir's appearance for Addington 1743 CC in a Surrey Cricket League Division One match last weekend," an ECB release said.
"The ECB has also written separately to Addington 1743 seeking a full written explanation from the club of the events leading up to Amir's appearance in the match," it said.
ECB also ruled that village side Addington 1743 falls under its regulatory jurisdiction by virtue of the club being affiliated to the Surrey Cricket Board.
Amir, who has been banned by ICC for five years for deliberately bowling no-balls in a Test against England last August in Lords, appeared for Addington 1743 CC in a match against St Lukes.
The 19-year-old pacer later claimed that he was under the impression that it was an unofficial match and will not contravene the terms of his ban by the ICC.
"I asked the club representatives if the match fell under the jurisdiction of the ECB and they informed me that the match did not," Amir had stated.
"I spoke to several club representatives about the issue and they all told me that it was a friendly and therefore would not contravene my ban from the ICC.
"I was informed that I was fine to play. I would not be stupid enough to knowingly play in a match that I knew would contravene my ban," he had said.
Amir scored 70 runs opening the innings and also scalped four wickets in seven overs to set up an 81-run victory for Addington.
The ICC has already launched an investigation against him for playing in the match and reports said that his five year ban could be extended if found guilty of breaching the terms of his ban.
Earlier in January, when Amir was under provisional suspension and awaiting punishment for the Lord's scandal, he featured in a friendly match for a Rawalpindi club.

PTI