LHC rejects plea against cricketer Amir

LAHORE

The Lahore High Court on Tuesday rejected a petition against the inclusion of convicted spot-fixer Mohammad Amir in the national cricket team, clearing the last hurdle to his predicted comeback after a five-year ban.

However, Islamabad High Court has issued a notice to Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board and Selection Committee on a petition of similar nature.

Justice Athar Allah heard the case regarding spot fixing players and issued a notice to PCB chief and selection committee for answer and adjourned the hearing till December 31. Petition had been filed in Islamabad High Court in which the petitioner pleaded court to stop Pakistan Cricket Board over likely inclusion of all these players in the team.

Amir, 23, was one of the three Pakistani players banned for arranging deliberate no-balls as part of a betting scam during a test match in England 2010.

The two other were the then test captain Salman Butt and bowler Mohammad Asif. All three were also sentenced to six months in prison in Britain.

The prospect of the trio returning to national colours after serving their bans has polarised opinions, with one lawyer petitioning the Lahore High Court to issue a stay order against a recall for Amir.

Justice Shahid Bilal Hasan of the Lahore High Court rejected the petition, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board's legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi. "I pleaded the case on behalf of the PCB and our opinion was that Amir completed his ban and as per country's Constitution he has every right to play cricket," Rizvi said. "The judge on hearing the arguments rejected the petition filed by a lawyer, Munsif Awan," he added. "We also informed the court that Amir will play under the microscopic eyes of the ICC (International Cricket Council) and the PCB," said Rizvi.