Pakistan's T20 World Cup Prep Faces Massive Blow: Star Pacer Faces Visa Issues Due to Jail Term for Match-Fixing

Mohammad Amir will be available for selection for Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign. (AFP)

Pakistan’s preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 where the side is set to travel to the United Kingdom where they take on Ireland and England in a T20I series has taken a hit with their star pacer not being able to travel with the squad due to visa issues.

According to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), a source from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that while the other members of the squad have received their visas, Mohammed Amir’s visa approval has been delayed due to the jail-term he served in the aftermath of the 2010 spot-fixing scandal.

“Because of the spot-fixing case of 2010 and his subsequent jail term and ban his visa is still being processed,” the source said.

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He also shared that they had faced a similar problem was faced by the board in 2018 when Pakistan went to Ireland and England but Amir was later issued a visa.

Earlier in 2010, Amir along with the former skipper, Salman Butt and Mohammed Asif were found guilty in a spot-fixing scandal and were jailed by the British courts as well.

Amir had announced his retirement at the age of 28 citing that he was not able to play during the management that was at the helm for Pakistan cricket. However, with the recent changes to the management, the pacer revealed that he felt needed and made the U-turn to make a return to international cricket.

In the recently concluded T20I series against New Zealand, Amir was able to get back to bowling well for the side and he picked up three wickets in the three games he played.

Pakistan will hope the pacer can bring his best to the marquee event coming up soon. Amir had a decisive role to play in the side’s T20 World Cup victory in 2009 and the Champions Trophy win in 2013 as well.

The national squad are set to depart for Ireland on Tuesday morning for the three-match T20 series in Ireland.

(with PTI Inputs)