Pakistan will follow a stunning Test win against South Africa, the world's No1 ranked team, by requesting an easing of the five-year ban imposed on Mohammad Amir for spot-fixing at a meeting of the International Cricket Council that starts in London on Friday.

Amir still has to serve around half of the suspension that was imposed on him in early 2011 for his involvement in corruption uncovered by the News of the World during Pakistan's series in England the previous summer, when he made a big impression at the age of 18.

But Pakistani media have reported that their cricket board will argue at the ICC that Amir, who served a three-month jail sentence in England in the winter of 2011-12, should be able to resume training at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, and possibly to play in domestic cricket before his five-year ban is up.

The ICC meeting is also expected to hold further discussions on the Decision Review System, although the chances of Real Time Snicko being incorporated in time for the return Ashes series in Australia now appear remote, following Channel Nine's decision to dispense with Hot Spot.

Pakistan offered a reminder of their depth of natural talent by completing a seven-wicket win over South Africa in the first of a two-Test series in Abu Dhabi, inflicting a first defeat on the Proteas for almost two years.

After establishing a first-innings lead of 193, they restricted South Africa to 232 in their second innings, despite a defiant 90 from AB de Villiers, with Junaid Khan finishing with three wickets and Saeed Ajmal reinforcing his position as the world's leading spinner with four for 74.

That left Pakistan needing only 40 to win and, although they wobbled worryingly to seven for three, losing two wickets to Vernon Philander and one to Dale Steyn, the captain Misbah-ul-Haq steered them home with an unbeaten 28 from 26 balls, sealing the win with his second six.

The result maintained Pakistan's formidable record in the United Arab Emirates, where they crushed England 3-0 in early 2012. If they can complete a series victory by avoiding defeat in the second Test in Dubai, it will increase the pressure at the top of the official World Test Rankings. Pakistan started the series in sixth place but were only four rankings points behind fourth-placed Australia.

Meanwhile the Australian coach, Darren Lehmann, has restored the former Australia fast bowler Craig McDermott to the coaching set-up before the Ashes series.

McDermott resigned from his role as Australia's bowling coach in May 2012 almost a year to the day since he was appointed. But the Queenslander will come back into the fold as Test bowling coach before the opening Test in Brisbane in December.

"There is obviously a huge focus on regaining the Ashes this summer and I'll work as hard as possible to prepare our bowlers for the challenge ahead," said McDermott.