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Spot fixer cricketer Mohammad Aamer released from jail

LONDON 2 FEB 2012: Teenage fast bowler Mohammad Aamer, one of three Pakistan cricketers jailed in England for spot-fixing, was released on Wednesday because of good behaviour after serving half of his six-month sentence.

The 19-year-old Aamer was freed from a young offenders' institution in Weymouth, southwest England. "Aamer is in high spirits and he will meet with his lawyers to decide when to appeal in Court of Arbitration against ICC's five-year suspension," Aamer's mentor, Asif Bajwa, told The Associated Press after speaking to the player. "Now that he has served his punishment, I am very optimistic that ICC will also look into the long term suspension." After his release, Aamer released a statement that only referred to Pakistan's recent victories over England in their first test matches since the fixing-tainted 2010 series. "I am delighted for the Pakistani cricket team. My thoughts are with them," Aamer said in a statement. "I wish them every success. I will not be making any further comment." Aamer pleaded guilty before the trial at London's Southwark Crown Court last year. Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and bowler Mohammad Asif are still serving their sentences after being convicted of also fixing part of a Test against England at Lord's in August 2010. Butt was jailed for 2 1/2 years and Asif for 1 year after they and Aamer ensured no-balls were bowled at specific times. Agent Mazhar Majeed received the stiffest sentence - 2 years, 8 months - after being secretly filmed by a tabloid journalist accepting 150,000 pounds ($238,000) and saying three players would help fix betting markets. Majeed was said to be the architect of the betting scam, along with Butt. All three players are serving five-year bans from cricket imposed by the International Cricket Council. The scam that forced the authorities into launching its most widespread corruption investigation was uncovered by investigators from the now-defunct News of the World tabloid. Aamer, who had been likened to all-time great Pakistan left-arm fast bowler Wasim Akram, is the youngest player to take 50 wickets in just 14 Test matches. Trial judge Jeremy Cooke described Aamer as "unsophisticated, uneducated and impressionable" and "readily leant on by others," but said there was evidence that he also discussed rigging an earlier match with a betting contact in Pakistan. Courtesy:TOI

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