MUMBAI: Chief Executive of International Cricket Council (ICC) David Richardson while defending the council’s decision to allow Muhammad Amir to play domestic cricket said that the relaxation will encourage corrupt players to come clean and help maintain the game’s integrity.
It is to be mentioned here that Amir and his team-mates Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif were banned for spot-fixing, particularly for bowling deliberate no-balls by pre-arrangement at Lord’s, during Pakistan’s tour of England in 2010.
Amir’s five-year ban was to expire on September 2, 2015 but ICC’s anti-corruption unit (ACSU) chairman Ronnie Flanagan exercised his discretion to allow him to return to domestic cricket with immediate effect on Jan 30, 2015.
“There’s an incentive to players that if you have messed up there’s a way back,” Reuters news agency quoted Richardson as saying during a telephone interview.
“Don’t forget that Amir would have been out of international cricket for five years. That’s more than half a career.
“Most players don’t even get to play five years at international level,” said the former South Africa stumper-batsman.
Left-arm bowler Amir was marked as a great prospect for Pakistan in his early days and at the age of 18 he became the youngest bowler to capture 50 test wickets during the controversial test match at Lord’s in 2010.
“Not withstanding what he did, no one suggests that we should be tolerant or be lax on players who get involved in these type of things,” the 55-year-old Richardson said.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription
