The International Cricket Council today cleared Muhammad Aamer of allegations that he used a mobile phone in the dressing room during the ongoing Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, saying there was no evidence of any wrongdoing by the Pakistani pacer.
Television footage shown during the Pakistan innings indicated that Aamer was talking on a mobile phone while waiting padded up in the dressing room.
When asked about the incident, Pakistan manager Yawar Saeed had reacted strongly demanding that the media first show him footage of Aamer talking on the mobile phone.
The ICC today said it's anti-corruption and security officer had investigated the matter and seen video footage of the incident.
The ICC said it is satisfied that "there is no evidence of Aamer making use of a mobile phone while sitting in the dressing room during the match against Sri Lanka at Dambulla
yesterday."
"There is therefore no suggestion that he has violated any norms or protocols of the ACSU Minimum Standards for Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA)," the ICC said in a
statement.
"Although the very short video clips that are publicly available could mislead viewers into thinking he was holding on to a cell phone and speaking to someone, upon closer
scrutiny the fact emerges that Mohammad was actually holding on to the front grill of his helmet, adjusting it, and at the same time making a comment to his team manager, Yawar Saeed, seated to his immediate left," the statement said.
"Although the very short video clips that are publicly available could mislead viewers into thinking he was holding on to a cell phone and speaking to someone, upon closer
scrutiny the fact emerges that Mohammad was actually holding on to the front grill of his helmet, adjusting it, and at the same time making a comment to his team manager, Yawar Saeed, seated to his immediate left," the statement said.
"The ACSU has also confirmed that, as is the normal practice, all cell phones of the players and officials were collected prior to start of the game and that Aamer did not have access to his cell phone, during the match," the statement said.
The Pakistani players have been embroiled in a number of controversies and scandals in recent months and after the video footage of Aamer was aired their were fears that Pakistan cricket could be hit by another problem.