London, Jun 10 (IANS): Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Aamer's five-year ban by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for spot-fixing could be extended after he was caught playing league cricket in Surrey over the weekend.

The 19-year-old was banned for deliberately bowling two no-balls in the fourth Test at Lord's against England last August.

Aamer though had claimed he had been told by Surrey Cricket League side Addington 1743 that the game against St Lukes was a 'friendly'.

"I spoke to several club representatives about the issue and they all told me that it was a friendly match and therefore would not contravene my ban from the ICC. I was informed that I was fine to play," Aamer said.

However, the ICC, investigating the matter, says the ban, imposed by an independent tribunal in Doha in February - but running from September 2010 - applies to all cricket.

If the game's governing body takes a dim view of Aamer's appearance in New Malden Saturday, his exile from the cricket field may be extended, the Daily Mail reported.

The paper reported Aamer is said to be on friendly terms with three of Addington's players.

"One of them contacted Surrey League officials before the match to check eligibility rules, which state a cricketer is ineligible to play if 'during the current season he has played first or second XI county cricket or in the minor counties' - criteria that, for obvious reasons, do not apply to Aamer."

"It has been learned his name may not have been mentioned in the conversation and there is little doubt that league officials would have ruled out the bowler's participation had they known who they were dealing with," the report said.