PCB plans gradual return of tainted trio

The Pakistan Cricket Board today announced a reintegration and rehabilitation plan for the disgraced trio of Salman Butt, Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Aamir, covering sessions with a psychologist and 'integration sessions' with the national team's coaches and players.
The trio's five-year bans for spot fixing expire on September 1 midnight and the ICC has confirmed they can return to national and international cricket after that date.
After Butt and Asif met with PCB officials at the Gaddafi stadium today, the board issued a statement outlining a detailed reintegration plan for them which rules out a return to even first class cricket for them for the next four months.

"Following the ICC's decision that it has no objection of full return of participation in cricket of Muhammad Asif and Salman Butt with effect from 2nd September 2015, subject to them fulfilling the conditions laid down by the independent anti-corruption tribunal, the PCB after seeking clarification and considering a number of factors that have a direct bearing on the team, has devised a reintegration/rehabilitation plan for smooth integration of the three players into cricket," the statement said.
PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan said: "We had to consider the effect of an immediate induction of these players into cricket, the acceptability of these players amongst their fellow cricketers, the anticipated negative slogans at the grounds from cricket fans and its effect on the other players and the banned players' own strength to deal with these pressures.

"Having considered all these factors we have come up with an action plan that will ensure a smooth and gradual induction of these players into cricket leading up to a full integration upon completion of rehabilitation and education programme."

The action plan which runs from September to December for the three players includes work with PCB Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department in preparing lectures to be delivered to the players.
Delivery of lectures in 16 regions by the three to players in different regions. Asif and Butt are allowed to start district level and club cricket from October while the trio can also practice regularly at the National Cricket Academy except when Pakistan national players practice, to avoid any untoward incident.

The trio have also been directed to maintain fitness levels for three consecutive months of September, October and November under the supervision of the NCA specialist staff who will submit their report to PCB.
From September 5, the three players will have integration sessions with bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed and Pakistan team members in order to foster acceptability for probable future congenial environment in the dressing room in first class/international engagements.