Last hurdle cleared: Mohammad Amir all set for England return after being issued British visa

Karachi: Pakistan cricket authorities Thursday confirmed fast bowler Mohammad Amir has been issued a British visa, clearing him to play in England for the first time since being convicted of spot-fixing six years ago. The 24-year-old was named in Pakistan’s squad for the four-match Test series due to start at Lord’s from 14 July, the same venue where his deliberate no-balls caused a furore in the cricket world in 2010. [caption id=“attachment_2645586” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir. Reuters[/caption] Amir, along with then-Test captain Salman Butt and new-ball partner Mohammad Asif, were charged for bowling deliberate no-balls in return for money. The trio was banned from playing cricket at all levels for five years and jailed for six months in the UK in 2011. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had made a special request for Amir’s visa, which was accepted. “The PCB has been officially informed that the UK Government has approved the visa for Amir,” the PCB said in a statement. Pakistan will hold a training camp in Hampshire before opening the tour with two three-day matches. The Tests will be followed by five one-day internationals and a Twenty20. Since his ban was lifted in September last year, Amir has been in great wicket-taking form, making him an automatic choice for the England tour.