LAHORE: Banned pace bowler Mohammad Asif will meet chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Shaharyar M. Khan on Friday in an attempt to benefit from a new International Cricket Council (ICC) rule.

According to a new rule announced by the ICC recently, suspended players can be allowed to feature in domestic competition a few months before they complete the ban on all cricket.

The 31-year-old Asif, who visited the Gaddafi Stadium here on Thursday, told reporters that he had been given time to meet the chairman on Friday.

He said he would appeal to PCB chairman to allow him to complete the rehabilitation programme — a compulsory requirement to benefit from the new rule introduced by the world governing body.

Right-armer Asif, who played 23 Tests and 38 ODIs between 2005 and 2010, along with then captain Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir, was banned for different terms by the ICC for their involvement in a spot-fixing scam that surfaced during Pakistan’s 2010 tour to England.

While Salman was handed a ten-year ban, Asif and Amir received seven- and five five-year suspensions, respectively.

The suspension of Asif and Salman could be reduced to five years, in case they complete the rehab programme, to be conducted under PCB supervision.

Amir was banned for five years — the minimum punishment under the ICC rules — so no relaxation was given to him.

However, as he has cooperated with the ICC and turned approver, his case was sent to the ICC to get him cleared for domestic cricket. The left-arm pacer’s five-year ban completes in September 2015.

Published in Dawn, November 21th, 2014