Muhammad Amir likely to face visa issues for England tour

Pakistan left-arm pacer Muhammad Amir could be denied a visa for Pakistan’s tour to England this summer over his conviction for spot-fixing.

Amir was sentenced to six months in a young offenders’ institute in 2011 after pleading guilty to corruption charges for his role in spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test of 2010.

Immigration lawyers have told The Daily Telegraph his case will ­depend on whether his admission into the country would be contrary to the public good. The decision will be at the discretion of the ­immigration officer dealing with his visa application.

‘Amazing’ Amir dealt with odds ‘smartly’, says Ramiz Raja

“His [Amir’s] case will depend on whether his admission into the country would be contrary to the public good,” British immigration lawyers told The Daily Telegraph. “The decision will be at the discretion of the immigration officer dealing with his visa application.”

Amir was not deported from Britain at the end of his sentence, which should help his case. Salman Butt, his captain, was deported from Britain when he was released early from his 30-month prison term, which is likely to prevent him from being able to gain a British visa for ten years, ruining any hope of a ­recall for this summer’s Test series in England.

Amir was slapped with a five-year ban by the International Cricket Council for his involvement in corruption. After completing his ban in September last year, Amir made a comeback into the national side and became an important part of the ODI and T20 sides.

Earlier, while touring New Zealand for a series in January 2016, Amir faced similar visa issues but the immigration officials allowed him to enter the country after Pakistan and New Zealand boards forwarded support to the 24-year-old.

Since his return, Amir has played two ODIs in which he has bagged five wickets. Meanwhile, in 11 T20Is, in which he represented Pakistan in 2016 he accounted for 11 batsmen.