Islamabad: The Pakistan Cricket Board will petition the ICC to reinstate fast bowler Mohammad Amir but has opted against doing so for two other cricketers found guilty of spot fixing in 2009.
Amir, former captain Salman Butt and fast bowler Mohammad Asif were suspended in 2010 for a minimum of five years for bowling deliberate no-balls during a test match against England in 2009.
Last Monday, the International Cricket Council revised its anti-corruption code of conduct to allow a banned player to gain an early return to domestic cricket in certain circumstances.
"We are making (an appeal for Amir) it and it will be ready in the next 3-4 days," Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan said on Thursday. "Since there's a new law now, Amir should be given some concession."
To Amir's credit, he pleaded guilty and didn't appeal against his five-year ban. He also underwent rehabilitation and participated in anti-corruption education programs.
Both Butt and Asif went to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to appeal the ban, but didn't succeed.
The ICC has devised a process for the return of a banned player that takes into consideration a number of factors such as the level of remorse shown by the player and the player's cooperation with the anti-corruption unit's education program.
Khan said Amir could receive the early concession only if the ICC refers the PCB's appeal to its anti-corruption unit, which then advises the game's governing body on whether the fast bowler deserves it.
"It's not a week's process and it will take time," Khan said.
Khan added that Butt had not accepted his mistake wholeheartedly and doesn't think the former captain has a chance of convincing the ICC's anti-corruption unit.
"He (Butt) has just said that `I am sorry and I had committed a mistake', it's not enough," Khan said.
Butt blamed the cricket board for delaying in his rehabilitation program despite sending a number of reminders to the PCB.
