London: The England and Wales Cricket Board has launched an investigation into banned Pakistani bowler Mohammad Amir's appearance for a village side, and sought a 'full written explanation from the club' in this regard. Amir, who has been banned for five years by an Anti-Corruption Tribunal after proven guilty of spot-fixing during last year's tour of England, played club cricket in Surrey last Saturday, starting for Addington 1743 in a Surrey Cricket League Division One fixture against St Lukes at the LSE ground in New Malden.Amir, who faces criminal charges over the bowling of two no-balls in the fourth Test against England last August, claimed he had been told by Surrey Cricket League side Addington 1743 that the game against St Lukes was a 'friendly'.However, the ICC, who is investigating the matter, has made it clear that the ban prevents Amir from playing cricket at any level, and if it takes a dim view of Amir's appearance in New Malden on Saturday, his exile may be extended.Meanwhile, in a statement, the ECB "announced that it has requested the Surrey Cricket Board to assist it in its investigation of the circumstances surrounding the Pakistan cricketer Mohammed Amir's appearance for Addington 1743 CC in a Surrey Cricket League Division One match last weekend.""ECB has also written separately to Addington 1743 CC seeking a full written explanation from the club of the events leading up to Amir's appearance in the match," the statement added.It said that the decision came after the ECB "confirmed Addington 1743 CC falls under its regulatory jurisdiction by virtue of the club being affiliated to the Surrey Cricket Board," adding that the ECB will also continue to assist the ICC with its own inquiry into the matter.
