PCB will not appeal against bans: Ijaz Butt

KARACHI: Pakistan will not appeal against the five-year bans imposed onSalman 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.