MUMBAI (Reuters) - The International Cricket Council (ICC) lifted the life ban on former Pakistan pace bowler Ata-ur-Rehman on Saturday, six years after he was punished for his role in an international match-fixing scandal.

Ata, 31, was banned and fined in 2000 for committing perjury during an 18-month match-fixing inquiry in Pakistan.

He appealed to the ICC to lift the ban to allow him to play as a professional in England.

The ICC board cleared him to resume playing from next May on the recommendation of its Code of Conduct Commission after an application by the Pakistan board.

"We recommend the life ban be reduced and Ata-ur-Rehman be reinstated on the ICC approved list from 1 May 2007," ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed told a news conference.

"The Board was keen to stress this decision does not represent a precedent in respect of other banned players," he said.

Ata, who has played 13 Tests and 30 one-dayers, had appealed, saying he was now a British citizen but was unable to get a playing contract due to the ban.