DOHA – The bans given to Pakistan trio Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir for spot-fixing “will act as a strong deterrent” to others from corrupting the sport, the ICC said Sunday. The trio were found guilty of corruption by an ICC tribunal and former captain Butt was banned for 10 years, five of them suspended. Asif, 28, was banned for seven years with two suspended, while 18-year-old Amir was given a straight five-year ban.
“While I am deeply saddened that this case happened in the first place, I acknowledge and commend the decision to deliver lengthy bans to all three players,” ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in a statement. “Corruption in our game will never be tolerated and, once again, I reiterate our zero-tolerance approach.
“I hope this investigation, and the verdicts delivered, makes that message crystal-clear.” The start of the bans would be backdated to Sept. 2 to include the period of provisional suspension already served by the players, the ICC said. The length of the punishment has divided the cricketing world.
