PCB chief optimistic Amir will receive visa for England tour

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan is optimistic that fast bowler Mohammad Amir will be granted a visa to travel with the national team for the upcoming tour of England.

The 24-year-old was named in the Test squad for the first time since his return to the international cricket after completing his five-year ban for spot-fixing in September last year.

Amir, along with former skipper Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif, were found guilty of various offences of corrupt behaviour relating to the Lord's Test between England and Pakistan in August 2010 by the independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal in February 2011.

The left-hander's criminal conviction, according to reports, could see him denied an entry visa to England, with the PCB hoping to secure visa for Amir by next week ahead of the team's departure on June 18.

Shaharyar said that although he had received no information about Amir's visa yet, he had been told by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) official Giles Clarke that their board had given its consent to its government for the issuance of the fast bowler's visa, the Dawn reported.

Pakistan will tour England for a four-match Test series and a five-match ODI series, starting from July 14 at the Lord's.