spot-fixing scandal, match-fixing scandal, mohammad amir, mohammad asif, salman butt, icc hearing, cricket scandal, news of the world, mazhar majeed, doha, qatar, qatar financial centre, michael beloff, ijaz butt, haroon lorgat, icc
Ijaz Butt. -Photo by AP (file)

KARACHI: Pakistan will not appeal against the five-year bans imposed on Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir for corruption, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt said on Saturday.

“The PCB does not have the jurisdiction to challenge the bans on these three players because this is a matter directly between the players and the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption tribunal,” Butt told Reuters.

An ICC tribunal found the trio guilty of spot-fixing on Saturday by arranging for the delivery of deliberate no-balls in the fourth test against England last August.

Former ICC president Ehsan Mani criticised the PCB for its handling of the issue.

“I think the PCB failed to handle this issue properly and didn't bother to guide the players at all. While the bans were neccessary to discourage corruption in cricket I think Ijaz Butt also morally should resign immediately,” Mani said.

Former test captain, Moin Khan said it was a shameful day for Pakistan cricket.

“It is really sad for Pakistan cricket that we have to face such embarrassment but at the same time I support the ICC tribunal decision because these players have brought shame to Pakistan and world cricket,” Moin said.

Former test pace bowler Sarfraz Nawaz said the bans were a lesson for a future generation of cricketers.

“If players do corruption they must not be spared. Obviously the ICC anti-corruption unit was able to convince the tribunal with their evidence against the players,” Sarfraz said.

Fans on the street said they felt the bans were harsh but justified.

“If the players are guilty of spot fixing they should be banned but perhaps the ICC should have gone soft with Amir because he is very young and was instigated by others to do their bidding,” student Amina Khalid said.

Professor Siraj Bukhari said that the bans would eventually prove to be beneficial to Pakistan cricket.

“The ICC has sent out a clear message now they will not tolerate corruption in any form and I think these players needed to be made examples,” he said.

Opinion

Editorial

Islamabad march
Updated 27 Nov, 2024

Islamabad march

WITH emotions running high, chaos closes in. As these words were being written, rumours and speculation were all...
Policing the internet
27 Nov, 2024

Policing the internet

IT is chilling to witness how Pakistan — a nation that embraced the freedoms of modern democracy, and the tech ...
Correcting sports priorities
27 Nov, 2024

Correcting sports priorities

IT has been a lingering battle that has cast a shadow over sports in Pakistan: who are the national sports...
Kurram ceasefire
Updated 26 Nov, 2024

Kurram ceasefire

DESPITE efforts by the KP government to bring about a ceasefire in Kurram tribal district, the bloodletting has...
Hollow victory
26 Nov, 2024

Hollow victory

THE conclusion of COP29 in Baku has left developing nations — struggling with the mounting costs of climate...
Infrastructure schemes
26 Nov, 2024

Infrastructure schemes

THE government’s decision to finance priority PSDP schemes on a three-year rolling basis is a significant step...