Waqar Younis urges ICC to review five-year ban on spot-fixer Amir

New Orleans Sun (ANI) Friday 3rd February, 2012

Former Pakistan captain and coach Waqar Younis has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to review its five-year ban on young fast bowler Mohammad Amir over a spot fixing scandal.

"If the ban reduction can be considered, then they should do that, every law gives margin," The Dawn quoted Younis, as saying.

Amir was released from an England jail on Wednesday because of good behaviour after serving half his six-month sentence for spot-fixing during a test against England in August 2010.

The ICC's ban, however, has barred Amir from taking part in any cricketing activity before September 2015, which Younis considers as a career death sentence.

"It's difficult for a fast bowler to keep himself fit if he is not allowed to play even club cricket," Younis said.

"We must have sympathy with him because he is so young. His talent will not only be missed by me, but also by the Pakistan team," he added.

Younis said he has more sympathy with Amir because the fast bowler should be given a benefit of doubt due to his youth.

Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan had earlier said that Amir was a better bowler than the great paceman Wasim Akram was in his early days.

"So there must be something in him (Amir) if he is praised by Imran," Younis insisted. (ANI)