Jailed cricketer Mohammad Amir released

E-Paper | June 11, 2026

Mohammad Amir, former captain Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif were convicted for fixing part of a test against England in August 2010. -Photo by AP

LONDON: A person with knowledge of the situation says Mohammad Amir, one of three Pakistani cricketers jailed in England for spot-fixing, has been released.

The person says the 19-year-old fast bowler was released from a young offenders' institution in Weymouth, southwest England, on Wednesday halfway through his six-month sentence because of good behavior.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case publicly.

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and bowler Mohammad Asif are still serving their sentences after being convicted of fixing part of a test against England in August 2010.

Amir pleaded guilty before the trial at London's Southwark Crown Court last year.

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Farzandesheikh,

Feb 01, 2012 11:57pm

PCB should at once invite Muhammad Amar to play in the forthcoming 50 and 20 over matches gainst England in Dubai. Such a gesture will be the right thing to do at this juncture to rehabilitate the honour of our innocent player.

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Al Dias

Feb 02, 2012 12:18am

You begin to wonder if the person who spoke on condition of anonymity took a bribe to leak the information. A vicious circle we could be in.

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John

Feb 02, 2012 12:20am

He is not released halfway, the full 6 month term was due to end on 3rd Feb. In UK Jail 1 day and 1 night is counted as 2 days therefore his term was due to end 3rd Feb. He was realso 2 days earlier.

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FARAKH ZAFAR [BHAM]

Feb 02, 2012 12:38am

I hope that he has learned his lesson will stay away from bookies in future . no dought he is big talent Pakistan has produced in long time and I hope that ICC will reduce his ban good to see him in fresh air again.

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Khalid Manzoor

Feb 02, 2012 12:40am

Muhammad Amir should have learned his lesson by now, I am confident he is a reformed youngster by now, his family, friends and PCB should provide all the support services to rehabilitate him, a talent like Amir must not be wasted. One day,some day, let us hope and work for that he plays for Pakistan.

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Afzal Khan

Feb 02, 2012 12:46am

Good luck to Amir for been free this is his life time learning experience he should remember this for rest of his life not to do these kinds of mistake again he is only NINTEEN years old he is still in his teen by being honest and hard working Pakistani team is facing the world No1 team and beat them twice and win the test match so be honest and hard working kid look forward not behind what happen in past forget about it and move forward the life must goes on and good luck.

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M. Asghar

Feb 02, 2012 12:48am

It is very embarassing to face such an unpleasant situation. One has to think very carefully about the future of these young players who got lost in such an ugly avidity.

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Taufiq

Feb 02, 2012 03:00am

I think PCB especially Zaka Ashraf should use his diplomacy skill to get him off the ICC ban. We need him badly to get Pak team on the top position in the world. He has paid his dues for his crime. I request ICC to open his case and review all the facts post the hearing with an open mind

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Umair Khalid

Feb 02, 2012 03:09am

Welcome back mate...I hope you have learned from your mistakes and I hope you will turn out to be a better person and cricketer after your time in jail. I also hope ICC will cut back on your ban period.Keep training hard and Insha Allah some day you will be back in the team! Good Luck!

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Mansour Ahmed

Feb 02, 2012 03:20am

I hope he will be arrested on his arrival in Pakistan and tried in Pakistani Courts for treason. Pakistani government and PCB must also take action against him to set an example for such criminal activities. I don't buy the argument that he is a rare talent and should be brought back in the team. Pakistan is littered with such talent, as it can be seen by performance of new faces in the team.

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Azhar

Feb 02, 2012 05:56am

what a waste of talent

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Fida Sayani

Feb 02, 2012 06:31am

the young men should be tutored and groomed to make him eligible to represent Pakistan cricket team in the future. this talent should not be wasted,

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Ahmad

Feb 02, 2012 08:07am

It is shame for our country. We call our self Islamic Republic, but our actions are not supporting it. Usually politicians are blamed for bad deeds and corruption, but I think we all need to think about our morals.

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barcha

Feb 02, 2012 08:17am

dont release the fixers. . they wl again spoil the team

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manzoor ahmed

Feb 02, 2012 11:26am

No one is young. PCB can do better without them. What they have done with the country. Shame, shame , shame. Until now world body and UK have awarded punishment to make their organization and country safe. Pakistan has not done anything so far ---- they must be debarred for life. This will protect our beloved country.

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zaheerkhan

Feb 02, 2012 11:35am

he has paid enough price for what he has done so i believe we must move on and let this chap play for Pakistan, he is such a great talent and should not be wasted, he needs our constant support so that he remains motivated.thx

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Ahmad

Feb 02, 2012 12:09pm

This young man is a product of a society where wrong is right. The decay of moral values of our father's generation is gone. "I am 65 years old ". He thought that he can also have nice home and a expensive car without working for. Look at the MPs and ministers with little education who are earning billions of rupees by taking bribes. Young people with weak will power get carried away. Crime does not pay even in Pakistan. Do you blame the guy.

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mubaraka

Feb 02, 2012 12:13pm

I hope that the government of Pakistan and the PCB will give amir more punishment for what he did to our state. He with the other two fixers not only tarnished the state image but also the reputation of the innocent team members.Currently the team is doing an excellent job and the tainted trio should be given no place in either international or domestic cricket! Thus, in order to set an example for others and for eradicating cricket corruption the board should bar them from playing cricket by imposing a life time ban on them!!!!!!!!!!!

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Danish Bawla

Feb 02, 2012 01:06pm

What innocent player?

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haroon

Feb 02, 2012 01:20pm

Waste of talent what a player he couldve been or still maybe could be he is only 19 but i think he should be given a second chance to prove himself but they should nevsr even release butt and asif cfrom prison nevermind playing

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King Khan

Feb 02, 2012 08:35pm

He was a wonderful & amazing talent. At an age of 17/18, he has proved himself to be one the best fast bowler in the cricketing world. Even Wasim Akram compel to say that at current age, M. Amir is better bowler than him. It was shame that we loss such talent, & it still believe it was a conspiracy against him. No one can digest Pakistan talent & to emerge Pakistan to be best team in the world. I still believe, he has future & he can do well. My bet is he should be given chance!

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majid canada

Feb 02, 2012 09:42pm

pl think before you write. he is banned for five years to play any kind of cricket. how can pcb call him to play for pakistan?

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guhhoh

Feb 02, 2012 11:04pm

innocent

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ejaz

Feb 03, 2012 09:21pm

amir should be punished in pakistan because he has spared without punishment so the team mates will do the same. He is betrayer.

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SSG

Feb 04, 2012 01:03am

It is good that Amir Has been released early because of his good behaviour. Now he has learnt his lesson and deserves another opportunity, ICC should consider lifting the ban he cannot be punished twice for his mistake. He has served his sentence and that should be the end of storey. Now he should be allowed to play cricket.

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pari

Feb 05, 2012 07:04pm

he is so sweet and cute i hope he will come back

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Hasim ali

Feb 06, 2012 06:45pm

Good news for pak team.i am very happy coming back amir .Amir is a new guy.he has a bright future.let him play

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MUHAMMAD ARSALAN

Feb 09, 2012 12:47pm

I HOPE HE WILL COME BACK

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