Spot-fixer Mohammad Aamer allowed to play domestic cricket matches
ICC relaxes ban on Pakistan paceman - one of a trio jailed over no-balls' scam in Lord's test
The International Cricket Council gave the green light on Thursday for banned Pakistan paceman Mohammad Aamer to return to domestic matches with immediate effect, relaxing his ban for spot-fixing.
Aamer was one of three Pakistani players handed bans of at least five years for arranging no-balls to order in a test against England at Lord's in 2010.
The 22-year-old's ban was due to expire on September 2, but the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) used discretionary powers to allow him to return to Pakistani domestic games early.
I am all for rehabilitation ... but it just can't be in the very game that [Aamer] sullied and brought disrepute to
"The ACSU chairman, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, with the prior approval of the ICC board and the PCB [Pakistan Cricket Board], has exercised his discretion to allow Aamer to return to domestic cricket played under the auspices of the PCB with immediate effect," the ICC said.
Aamer, along with captain Salman Butt and new-ball partner Mohammad Asif were found guilty of orchestrating deliberate no-balls in the Lord's test against England in August 2010.
The three players and their agent Mazhar Majeed were jailed by a UK court after the now defunct tabloid News of the World exposed them in a sting.
At the time of the incident Aamer was regarded as one of the hottest young bowling prospects in world cricket and there was some sympathy for him, given his young age - he was 18 at the time.