Cricket: ICC change opens door for Aamer

Mohammad Aamer the wicket of New Zealand's Peter Fulton. Photo / SNPA

The International Cricket Council approved its revised anti-corruption code yesterday, but left it up to home boards to let banned players return early to domestic competition.

A player's return to domestic competition before the expiry of his ban would require the agreement of anti-corruption board chairman Sir Ronnie Flannagan, and the relevant National Cricket Federation, with the approval of the ICC Board.

The revised code will help Pakistan seamer Mohammad Aamer's early return to domestic cricket, likely to come in February.

Last year, the Pakistan Cricket Board demanded the ICC relax certain conditions of Aamer's ban after he pleaded guilty to a spot-fixing crime and then completed the rehabilitation process.

Aamer, now 22, was banned with Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif for involvement in spot-fixing on Pakistan's tour of England in 2010.

Aamer was banned for five years, Butt for 10 (with five suspended) and Asif for seven (two suspended).

The three were also jailed in Britain for orchestrating deliberate no-balls during the Lord's test against England in return for money.

The ICC said the revised code would close certain loopholes and address the issue of who has jurisdiction in a particular case.

The code would also allow a player charged with an offence but not provisionally suspended, to agree to voluntarily suspend him or herself.

ICC chairman Naryanaswami Srinivasan, himself suspended in India over a fixing scandal in a Twenty20 league, said: "The process for the revision of the ICC anti-corruption code was exhaustive and has been based on our learning and experiences over the past few years.

"This code is now even more robust and comprehensive and it provides clarity on jurisdictional issues, gives options to the charged Participant and offers more choices to the anti-corruption tribunal."

ICC chief executive David Richardson said fighting corruption was still one of cricket's biggest challenges.

"We remain committed to eliminating this menace from our sport."

Aamer last week said he was anxiously awaiting the code revision and would apply to the Pakistan Board to be allowed to play in domestic matches.

"I am waiting for the ICC decision and once it comes I will apply to the PCB to resume my domestic career and then international matches," he said.