PCB trying to arrange visa for Amir

LAHORE: Mohammad Amir’s England visa issue has become complicated for Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

PCB has begun consultations with law experts on Amir’s visa issue, while the matter is also being discussed on diplomatic level.

Amir, who was sentenced to nine- month imprisonment and received a five-year ban after the 2010 spot fixing scandal, is the first choice to lead Pakistan’s pace attack for the summer tour of England owing to his recent performances and his previous record there.

PCB has contacted England cricket authorities who have given some positive signals in this respect.

Solicitor Dr Akbar Malik told Geo News that as per immigration rules in the UK, Amir can apply for the visa after April 2017. He explained that Amir was convicted and sentenced in November 2011 and sentenced to less than 12 months imprisonment.

He explained that Paragraph 320 of the immigration rules says: “Grounds on which entry clearance or leave to enter the United Kingdom is to be refused: … (2) the fact that the person seeking entry to the United Kingdom: … (d) has been convicted of an offence for which they have been sentenced to a period of imprisonment of less than 12 months, unless a period of 5 years has passed since the end of the sentence.”

Dr Akbar said that it would only be in exceptional circumstances that the “public interest in maintaining refusal will be outweighed by compelling factors”. He said that the ECB and the PCB would have to inform the visa officer as to how it is in the public interest to allow Amir back into the UK. “Otherwise refusal of visa is mandatory,” he said.

Pakistan are due to play four Tests, five ODIs and one T20 International during the tour commencing from July 14.