Mohammad Amir receives UK visa, free to face England after match-fixing scandal

New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday confirmed that fast bowler Mohammad Amir has been granted a UK visa, ahead of their their tour of England and Ireland.

The visa clearance means that Amir, 24, will be allowed to play in England for the first time since being convicted of spot-fixing six years ago.

"The PCB has been officially informed that the UK Government has approved the Visa for Amir," the PCB said in a statement.

The talented pacer was named in Pakistan's squad for the four-match Test series due to start at Lord's from July 14, the same venue where his deliberate no-balls caused a furore in the cricket world in 2010.

Amir, along with then Test captain Salman Butt and new-ball partner Mohammad Asif, were charged for bowling deliberate no-balls in return for money.

The trio was banned from playing cricket at all levels for five years and jailed for six months in the UK in 2011.

The Pakistan team will leave for England on June 18, and are expected to hold a training camp in Hampshire before opening the tour with two three-day matches.

The Tests series will be followed by five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match.

(With Agency inputs)