Amir apologizes for breaking ICC-imposed ban

A Pakistani cricket official says Mohammad Amir has apologized to him for breaking his ICC-imposed ban by bowling five overs in a club match Monday.

Rawalpindi chief Naeem Akhtar said Wednesday that Amir "was not aware he could not compete even at club level."

Amir is one of three Pakistan internationals charged by the International Cricket Council under its anti-corruption code over "spot-fixing" allegations.

The ICC will announce its verdict for Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt on Feb. 5.

The Pakistan Cricket Board is investigating the matter after the ICC says it "wrote to the PCB on this yesterday."

The players were implicated in an undercover sting by a British newspaper during a test against England at Lord's in August.