Butt appealed to the interim PCB chief Najam Sethi to reduce his ban and permit a return to domestic cricket. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
LAHORE: Former Pakistan cricket captain Salman Butt has for the first time publicly admitted to and apologised for spot-fixing, two years after he was found guilty of the offence.
Butt, along with fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, was banned from the sport by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2011 after being found guilty of deliberately contriving no-balls in return for money during the Lord’s Test against England the previous year. The trio and their agent Mazhar Majeed were also jailed by an English court in 2011. The players were released last year.
“I apologise to the nation and all the fans who have been hurt by the spot-fixing case,” Butt told a press conference in Lahore.
Butt received a 10-year ban, with five years suspended, for his role in the scam. Asif was barred for seven years, with two suspended, while Amir got five years.
In April, Butt and Asif lost their appeals to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport, and the ICC urged the players to accept their guilt and start rehabilitation. Amir had not appealed after pleading guilty before the UK court in 2011.
“I admit the ICC tribunal decision and warn the future players to avoid the pitfalls of corruption because this is bad for the country and for the fans,” Butt said.
He and Amir have agreed to undergo rehabilitation through the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Butt’s public apology is seen as a step towards shortening the remaining period of suspension.
Butt also appealed to the interim PCB chief Najam Sethi on Friday to reduce his ban and permit a return to domestic cricket, while indicating his ambition to play internationally in the future.
“I request the interim chairman to request the ICC to reduce my and Asif’s bans. I have two years ban left so if the ICC allows me to play domestic cricket then I will be ready for international matches once my ban ends.
“I have enough cricket left in me and when my ban ends I am ready to play for the country again,” said Butt.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 29th, 2013.
COMMENTS (28)
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@Chinese: Chinese and cricket ?? China will go 100 years back if they become so involved in this game.
Dude, I wouldn't trust him to wash my car, and he's so audacious as to be requesting a return to the national side! I do think that since he has accepted his role in the thing now, it is time that the Pakistani govt should convict him n send him to a Pakistani jail. Why's he walking all free in the first place??
He should not be allowed anywhere within 100 km of any cricket field, lest he corrupts the cricketers of the future..
Listen his father's exploitation at 2:16 min !!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UVqz1HVXJ0
Take up politics................where your talents are better suited.
Hats off Salman!! You are a true Pakistani, who always comes out with the truth. That's why we always trust you. As they say, ‘Better late than never’. Indians are yet to admit, that they fixed the world cup and champions trophy final. Worst still, they will never admit that OBL was hiding, and finally found in India.
I don't accept your apology.
You blatantly cheated and got caught out, and if you hadn't been found out you'd still be doing it now and lining your pockets!
Salman confession is shameful. It was 100% sure he and other 2 were involved in spot fixing. They let the nation down and now he is apologizing which which should not be accepts instead he should ban for another 10 years. The biggest problem in Pakistan is lack of discipline in every walk of life. All these 3 players should never represent Pakistan again otherwise these things will continue to happened and each time the nation will get let down.
As if the spot-fixing was disgraceful enough, he chose to lie and try to fool the nation for 2 years.
Sorry buddy. Take your apology and go play angry birds or something. You are such a big disgrace for the country that you should never been seen near the national team uniform - let alone wear it!
Salman Butt betrayed the trust of this nation and had absolutely no remorse in doing so. He would have never admitted his guilt had he not seen an opportunity in doing so. He should never be trusted again. It would be like letting someone coming back into your family when he has already disgraced, humiliated, and sold the honor of that family. He should never be allowed to represent Pakistan EVER again. He not only is a bad person and rotten human being, he has also destroyed an excellent talent of Pakistan, Amir, for few lousy pounds. I fail to understand why he is even given the opportunity to appear in the press. He is a shameless, corrupt, and a disgusting individual.
Besides all the fixing stuff... For we really want another mediocre batsman such as Butt back in the team? He wasn't amazing to be honest.
"I am ready to play for the country again" Hahahahaha, keep dreaming.
unlike aamer salman and asif were not honest in their approach and should never be allowed to play for pakistan.however since bread and butter is basic human needs...they should be allowed to play on local level.this approach should also be considered over here in india for the likes of srisanth.but aamer must be given another chance since he aacepted his guilt very early.
Go play with your friends. No Pakistan team for u.
Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamir all three are ZINDA DILANE LAHORE......
a trued isgracer.
Its my Tax Money, there are many young aspiring Pakistanis to be considered first. Lets give new comers a chance first.
Any one who will even assist Butt to play again will also be considered a crook.
Salman Butt confession is too late. His hope to play for the nation is just shame.
Well said "Better late than never", PCB should give him chance to play domestic cricket, Everybody does mistakes & If he's feeling ashamed then he deserves a second chance.
What Butt did: Step 1: Claim innocence from the beginning. Step 2: Even after the court verdict, still claim innocence. Step 3: Wait for a while until someone offers a way back which involves admission of your crime. Step 4: Son't say you have done anything wrong but 'I admit the decision of the ICC tribunal'! Step 5: Ask for more: "Since I have only two years left of my ban, I request the ICC to allows me to play in domestic cricket." I like giving second chances but if Butt is allowed to take this route, every future player should be able to take a similar route and the joke will be on all of us.
He disgraced the whole nation and kept to his lie and now again this drama. Though its a good thing to apologize but he definately should not get a place to represent the country at any level. A example should be set or all wrongdoers will be encouraged.
Shame on you disgruntle Salman Butt!
@Salman: You are absolutely right. Has no compunction as long as his purpose is served. English justice was not only done but seen to be done. In appeals Butt spent thousands of pounds in lawyers fees and court costs. He finally realized that English Judiciary could not be bought.
Shame on you Salman Butt for repeatedly shattering the trust of your followers, countrymen, the team and deeply damaging the very sport that brought you so much fame and wealth. After repeatedly pleading your innocence for three years despite being convicted and proven guilty and doing time in jail, the only apparent reason that you are "apologising" to the nation is to get a second chance at the sport. Forget it man. You are lucky to be walking free in Pakistan. You were offered a rather lenient punishment by the British courts. Very easily you could still be arrested and made to rot in jail for many more years in Pakistan along with your pals. You knew full well what you were doing despite being aware of all the previous match fixing scandals that some of your predecessors and colleagues were involved in. It was sickening to see your smiling photos in today's papers while pleading forgiveness from the nation. Shame on you!!
@Salman: I agree with you 100%. After trying every legal and illegal trick possible this hardened criminal finally chose to try telling "some" truth. He knows he cannot fool anybody anymore hence a little bit of crying. Thanks and regards, M
"“I have enough cricket left in me and when my ban ends I am ready to play for the country again,” said Butt."
Sorry but the country has enough crooks tarnishing its name. We don't need or want a confessed criminal representing us again.