Thaindian News

London, June 8 (IANS) The International Cricket Council (ICC) is investigating banned Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Aamer’s participation in a club match in England last weekend.

Aamer, who was banned from all forms of cricket in February after being found guilty of spot-fixing during Pakistan’s away series against England last year, was reportedly spotted Saturday playing for Addington 1743 in Surrey Cricket League Division One. He was the star of the match, scoring 60 runs and taking four wickets in his team’s win over St. Lukes.

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

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

Aamer acknowledged about his presence in the match but said he played after he was told that it was a private match.

“I was informed by club representatives before the game that it was a friendly match, being played on a privately owned cricket ground,” Aamer was quoted as saying by PakPassion.net.

“I asked the club representatives if the match fell under the jurisdiction of the ECB and they informed me that it 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,” he said.