Banned Pakistan trio Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir can begin their return to cricket after the Pakistan Cricket Board revealed a reintegration programme.
The players were banned for five years apiece after Asif and Amir bowled deliberate no-balls during the Lord's Test against England in 2010 in a spot-fixing plot also involving captain Butt. There were additional suspended sentences of five years for Butt and two for Asif.
All three will be clear to return to competitive cricket from September 2, the International Cricket Council confirmed last week - but they will first have to comply with the PCB's action plan.
PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan told pcb.com.pk: "While we recognise the importance of getting these three players back in the fold, we are also cautious of the adverse impact it could have, not only on the entire nation but on their fellow players, if we hastily induct them into the national side.
"It would be unfair to expect these players to immediately pick up the threads where they abruptly left off in 2010. They will also need to prove their fitness, ability and acceptability in cricket.
"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 the rehabilitation and education programme.
"We hope that all three will fully co-operate and undergo each of the steps provided in the action plan."
Amir has already begun playing domestic cricket for Rawalpindi Rams after being granted an early return by the ICC in January.
Asif and Butt will now be able to follow suit and will attend sessions with a psychologist next month as part of t he action plan, which also involves the trio preparing and delivering lectures on behalf of the PCB vigilance and anti-corruption department.
They will be allowed to train at Pakistan's national cricket academy, initially only when it is not in use by the national team until they complete "integration sessions, in order to foster acceptability for a probable future congenial environment in the dressing room".
That clause of the action plan also states: "The players should have an apologetic attitude towards their fellow players, selectors and other stakeholders as a sign of sincere remorse."
Amir, 18 at the time of the offence, is still only 23 and will hope to make a fruitful return to the sport. Butt is now 30 and Asif 32.
Source: PA
