Mohammad Amir free to face England after receiving UK visa

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has received a UK visa and will be free to travel to England with the Pakistan squad on 18 June ahead of this summer's four-Test series.

The matter had been in some doubt because Amir served half of a six-month jail sentence in England and was banned from cricket for five years, due to his involvement in spot-fixing at Lord's in 2010.

However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) applied for Amir's visa last month and their application was supported by the ECB.

And the PCB released a statement on Thursday, which said they had been "officially informed that the U.K. government has approved the visa" for Amir.

Ironically, Amir could therefore play his first Test match for six years at Lord's, the scene of the spot-fixing, when the series gets underway on 14 July.

A left-arm pace bowler, Amir was hugely impressive during the 2010 series in England, taking 19 wickets at an average of just 18.36.

However, the 24-year-old was subsequently banned for his involvement in spot-fixing, as were his team mates Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt.

England captain Alastair Cook was asked earlier this week about the prospect of Amir returning to the sport and said he had no problems with it.

"He's served his time," said Cook. "He was punished for what he did, and quite rightly so, because we've got to protect the integrity of the game.

"I have no problem playing against him at all."