Amir likely to play domestic cricket soon: sources

LAHORE: Pakistan’s banned fast bowler Mohammad Amir is likely to be allowed to play domestic cricket very soon, sources said on Friday.

Sources told Geo News that International Cricket Council (ICC) in an upcoming meeting of its review board would allow the banned cricketer to resume playing in Pakistan’s domestic circuit.

Sources added that Amir has been interviewed by ICC after the governing body revised the players´ code of conduct in November last year, adding a provision that allows a banned player to play in domestic games a certain period prior to the end of the ban.

Amir is expected to make a come back in first-class cricket as early as by February.

Amir was banned along with former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and strike bowler Mohammad Asif for deliberately indulging in spot fixing in summer 2010.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had put him under a six-month assessment process before his comeback to the field.

The left-arm fast bowler was to be monitored ‘very closely’ and that feedback of other players in the national team and domestic circuit was also to be taken into account.

A PCB spokesman later confirmed Amir´s potential return.

"It is most likely that Amir will get reprieve to play domestic cricket," said the spokesman Agha Akber.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan last week said Amir will be monitored in first-class cricket before returning to international cricket.

His five year ban expires in August this year.

PCB has said that since the other two banned players -- Butt and Asif -- took time to plead guilty and have not completed a mandatory rehabilitation, their cases will not be taken up with the ICC.

Before the ban Amir was described as cricket´s "hottest property" by legendary Pakistan pace-man Imran Khan.