Disgraced opener Salman Butt has sort apology from the fans and the followers of the sport for bringing the game into disrepute by spot-fixing.
Confessing to the crimes on Friday, Salmab Butt appealed to the acting PCB chairman to allow him play at least in domestic cricket.
Addressing a press conference here Friday, Butt said: “I have hurt the sentiments of the fans and apologise for what I have did.”
He requested the PCB acting Chairman Najam Sethi to reduce his sentence. “Two more years are left before the ban is lifted, please allow me to at least play domestic cricket,” he requested Sethi.
Butt had received a 10-year ban, five years of which were suspended, following a probe of the deliberate bowling of no balls at a Test match in London in 2010. The International Cricket Council (ICC) slapped the ban on the opening batsman on on 5 February 2011.
The cricketer was found guilty by both the game’s governing body and a British court of receiving money.
“I apologise to all Pakistanis and appeal to the fans to forgive me for the actions.”
He was also convicted and jailed for 30 months in the United Kingdom on conspiracy charges relating to spot-fixing along with Pakistani pace-bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif.
He also urged the youngsters to be keep away from corrupt elements and concentrate on the game of cricket.
“I also accept the ban imposed on me by the ICC tribunal,” Butt said as he also appealed the cricket council to allow him and others accused to play on the domestic level to be ready for selection when their ban is lifted.
Salman Butt added that he had informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about his availability and willingness to undertake the rehabilitation programme.
Butt received a ten year ban for his role in the spot-fixing scandal, five years of which were suspended. The former Pakistan captain along with fast bowlers Muhamamd Asif and Muhammad Aamer were convicted for their involvement in bowling deliberate no-balls during a test match against England at Lords in 2010.
