Spot-fixing charge cost Amir contract with Yorkshire

London:

His alleged involvement in the spot-fixing scandal has cost Pakistan's teen pace sensation Mohammad Amir a possible 100,000 pounds contract with English county side Yorkshire.

Amir, along with Pakistan Test skipper Salman Butt and fellow pacer Mohammad Asif, was suspended by the ICC after his name cropped up in a betting scam exposed by a British tabloid.

The 18-year-old, who flew back to Pakistan with Butt and Asif, was Yorkshire's choice to be overseas player for 2011.

"But the plan was scuppered as soon as Amir was charged by the ICC's anti-corruption unit," 'The Sun' reported. Former batsman Geoffrey Boycott, who is a global talent spotter for Yorkshire, had suggested Amir's name.

"Amir is a magnificent young bowler and we were interested in signing him for next season. He would have tapped into the local Asian population but it is fair to say we are now looking elsewhere," Yorkshire director of cricket Martyn Moxon said.