Child prodigy Amir – in the line of fire, ICC hints at lesser penalty
Mohammad Amir, the young 18 year old Pakistan left arm sensation who was involved in last month’s spot fixing scandal might escape with a lesser penalty now that the suspended trio have appealed against the charges levelled on them. According to sources,
the three http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 players would fight their cases in separate defences during their hearings. It is believed that Mohammad Amir mainly due to his age would escape a tough punishment however the other two might not be able to make a return to cricket if their
charges are proven.
Sources have also revealed that the players have hired individual lawyers who will fight their cases separately, following the appeal of the Pakistan captain and Mohammad Asif against the charges levelled against them.
Earlier in the month, according to a report published in various newspapers, sources within the PCB had leaked some information regarding Mohammad Amir. They claimed that Amir had approached the PCB and met the coach, captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 and the chairman
and stated that he was dragged into the spot fixing imbroglio by his older team mates who had yielded a certain amount of influence on the player.
Mohammad Amir, was perhaps one of the promising stars of the 21st century and people were already likening him to the great left arm fast bowler http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292 however Amir had proved with his performance that he was second to none. The amount of
maturity with which he played proved to be a vital essence in the Pakistani bowling attack that has struggled in his absence. It is likely that the captain of the Pakistan team Salman Butt might face the worst punishment if the accusations against him are
proven. Salman Butt might find himself facing a life ban.
The ICC will however have to wait for the final investigation to be concluded before a date is announced for the hearing, however it was said that there has not been any solid evidence against the trio despite the footage of the News of the World. Haroon
Lorgat has hinted on the players being treated differently since he believed that players like Salman Butt would have yielded more influence than the 18 year old Amir.
''Once we present the charges we will be asking for proportionate sanctions,'' Lorgat said.
''There is still some work to be done, on exactly [what penalties are appropriate] for bowling a no-ball, and instructing a no-ball. We said to Butt we have got evidence upon which we said we're charging you because we want to protect the integrity of the
game. We believe there is a very strong case which justified our actions [to suspend him], and there is nothing we can do until he appeals.'' Lorgat further said.
It is also likely that Mohammad Asif might be slapped with a life ban, given his past indiscretions and discipline issues. He was also involved in the possession of illegal drugs in Dubai and the PCB intervened to get him out of the horrible mess.
It is believed that the lowest penalty for a player not reporting an approach by the bookie, is a six month ban. A particular http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 batsman Marlon Samuels had been caught in a similar fashion after he accepted money from a bookie and he was banned
for two years.
Lorgat was also critical of those who claimed that the rot had set in the world of cricket and corruption was widespread. He dismissed all such claims. He insisted that on many occasions the ICC has chosen to keep mum about disciplinary action taken against
the players since they do not want to break the confidence of those involved.
He argued that the ICC has taken strict action against those who had broken the law.
''That is absolute nonsense,'' he said. ''Every lead we have picked up in the past, we have followed through. I don't believe it is widespread because of all the incidents that have been avoided, where players have done the right thing.”
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