MUMBAI - BIPIN DANIM - Aamir, the 22-year-old Pakistani pacer may be able to return to international cricket earlier than expected. The ICC is seriously considering to allow all banned players to use training facilities (depending upon their bans) so as to enable them to return immediately after their suspension period is over.
“We first conveyed this likely good news to Aamir, whose five-year ban period ends on September 2, 2015. Instructed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to stop giving interviews, Aamir's elder brother,” Ijaz Aamir spoke on his behalf.
"Obviously this news will bring joy to the family. We are waiting for the day when his ban-period is over", he said over telephone from Rawalpindi. "We are waiting for this day. We want his ban to be over to-day, if it is to end tomorrow. Sadly, he is not allowed to practice anywhere but my brother is keeping himself fit. He has been attending the gymnasium and doing running exercises everyday". "My brother is determined to play for Pakistan again. He wants his performance to speak for himself. Once being allowed in the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Aamir will do vigorous practice and surely make comeback. We all family members have been supporting him", the brother added. "We are thankful to the ICC and PCB chairman Nazam Sethi for thinking positive about banned players".
The decision when implemented, will all benefit other pacer M Asif and Salman Butt at a later stage. Asif has been banned for seven years and former captain Butt is being on ten year suspension. "I don't want to talk about others but Aamir will certainly benefit with this", the brother added.