LAHORE: Pakistani batsman Salman Butt and bowler Mohammad Aamer vowed Friday to prove their innocence as they left for Dubai to appeal against their suspension over a spot-fixing scandal. The International Cricket Council provisionally suspended Salman, who was Pakistan’s Test captain, Aamer and bowler Mohammad Asif after they were charged with offences under the anti-corruption code of conduct last month.
They all appealed, although Asif later withdrew his application. An ICC commissioner will hear their appeals in Dubai on Saturday and Sunday. The scandal broke in a report by British tabloid The News of the World, prompting Scotland Yard to launch an investigation into allegations of spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test against England in August.
Police raided the team’s hotel in London and questioned Salman, Aamer, Asif and bowler Wahab Riaz. But they have yet to formally level any charges. “I am not guilty,” Salman told reporters after arriving at Lahore airport to board a flight to Dubai. “I am hopeful that the outcome of this hearing will be positive.”
Aamer said: “We are innocent and hope to get the allegations cleared.” Salman’s lawyer Khalid Ranjha, a former law minister, said the ICC did not have the evidence to suspend his client. “There are only allegations in media and nothing else,” Ranjha said. Owing to their suspensions, the trio have been excluded from Pakistan’s current tour of the United Arab Emirates, where they are playing South Africa.
