KARACHI, Nov 5: Former Pakistan paceman Ata-ur-Rehman on Sunday thanked the world cricket authorities for lifting a ban on him, saying they had given back the missing half of his life.

“Lifting the ban on me is like giving my half-life back. I am happily living my life with my wife and my daughter, but cricket was missing from it,” Ata said from Manchester, England.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday revoked a life ban placed on Ata on charges of perjury during a match-fixing inquiry in May 2000.

“I was given punishment for perjury and since I wanted to play county cricket in England, I applied for the ban to be lifted. It is great news because it will allow me to resume my career, and I also want to coach,” said Ata, 31.

An ICC review committee comprising television commentator Richie Benaud, British lawyer Michael Beloff and Bangladesh's Ajmal-ul Husain considered Ata’s application and lifted the ban, allowing Ata to be reinstated from May 1, 2007.

“The ban spoiled my career, and at my age I don't see any chance to play for Pakistan, but if my country needs me I will be there anytime, anywhere,” said Ata, who last represented Pakistan in a one-dayer against England at Edgbaston on Aug 31, 1996.

Ata played 13 Tests and 30 One-day Internationals between 1992 and 1996, claiming 31 Test and 27 one-day wickets before losing his place in an inquiry into match-fixing allegations.

During the 1999 inquiry, Ata said former team-mate Wasim Akram had offered him Rs300,000 (around $5,000) to underbowl in a one-day match during Pakistan's 1994 tour of New Zealand.

But at a subsequent hearing he took back the allegation, saying he had been pressurised to give his earlier statement.

Lahore High Court's Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum, who was investigating the allegations, imposed a life ban on Ata.

A commission appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board revoked the ban in 2003, but the player also needed clearance from the ICC.

“I have British citizenship so I am eligible to play county cricket and I still have a lot of cricket left in me, so I will definitely play,” he said.

“Since I have also done coaching courses, I will also turn to it once I finish playing.”—AFP