Aamir uncertain about future, back home after release

Disgraced pacer Mohammad Aamir early Sunday returned to Pakistan after serving his prison term in Britain. Aamir was one of three Pakistan players jailed by a judge in London in November over their roles in a plan to bowl deliberate no-balls during a Test against England at Lord’s in August 2010. Although Aamir did not interact with the media on his arrival but sources close to the disgraced bowler said that he did not know what his future would be. “I hae just returned and want to spend some peaceful time with my family and right now I dont know what is there in store for me,” the source added. The 19-year-old is also serving a five-year ban imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Aamir arrived at Lahore airport from London at 4:35 am local time (2300 GMT) and headed straight for his home in the Defence Housing Authority. Aamer’s family members also refused to speak to media. Television footage showed Aamir sitting in a white car as the vehicle entered his residence. Former Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt was also sentenced to two and a half years for being the “orchestrator” of the scam, while seamer Mohammad Asif received a 12-month prison term for bowling a fraudulent no-ball. The London-based sports agent Mazhar Majeed who organised the scam was jailed for two years and eight months. All three players are serving five-year ICC bans. The scandal emerged as a result of an undercover investigation by the now defunct British tabloid the News of a World. Both Butt and Aamir had appeals against their sentences rejected in November, with England’s top judge saying they had “betrayed” their country. Last month, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf held out the prospect of Aamir returning to international cricket once his jail term and ICC ban had been completed.