Mohd Amir admits playing during ban period

The International Cricket Council launched an investigation yesterday after Pakistan bowler Mohammad Amir admitted playing cricket for an English club side despite his ban for spot fixing

Mohd Amir admits playing during ban period

The International Cricket Council launched an investigation yesterday after Pakistan bowler Mohammad Amir admitted playing cricket for an English club side despite his ban for spot fixing.

Amir was hit with a five-year worldwide ban in February following allegations of involvement in a spot fixing scandal during last summer's Test series between England and Pakistan.

However the 19-year-old could face further disciplinary action after it emerged he had played for English junior side Addington 1743 in a Surrey Cricket League game last Saturday.

"We have heard the reports and we are investigating," ICC spokesman James Fitzgerald said.

"The suspension very clearly states that it is a suspension from all forms of cricket and all cricket-related activities."

In a statement released to the PakPassion.net cricket website, Amir admitted playing in the game but insisted he had been unaware that he was contravening the terms of his suspension. The teenager said he played after being assured the match was a friendly and did not come under the jurisdiction of the England and Wales Cricket Board.

"I was informed by club representatives before the game that it was a friendly match, being played on a privately-owned cricket ground," he said.

"I asked the club representatives if the match fell under the jurisdiction of the ECB and they informed me that the match did not. I spoke to several club representatives about the issue and they all told me that it was a friendly match and therefore would not contravene my ban from the ICC. I was informed that I was fine to play."

"I would not be stupid enough to knowingly play in a match that I knew would contravene my ban. Wherever I am going to play cricket, the world will know about it. I would not be stupid enough to play in a match where I knew that I would be taking a risk."