Salman Butt returns to domestic cricket with smashing century

Butt and Asif travelled to Hyderabad to play for Water and Power Development Authority against FATA

HYDERABAD: Former Test captain Salman Butt smashed a century as he and Mohammad Asif returned to domestic action in the national one-day tournament on Sunday, four months after completing five-year bans for spot-fixing.

The duo, along with Mohammad Amir, were banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for bowling deliberate no-balls in return for money during the Lord's Test against England on Pakistan's tour in 2010.

The three players and their agent Mazhar Majeed were later jailed in Britain.



The ICC lifted the sanctions on the pair in September, making them eligible for national and international matches.

Amir, whose ban was relaxed in April 2015, boarded a plane on Sunday to New Zealand after he was included in Pakistan's one-day and Twenty20 squads.

Butt and Asif travelled to Hyderabad to play for Water and Power Development Authority against the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

Butt, seen as a competent one-day batsman before his ban, showed signs of his past talents with a brilliant 143-ball 135 including 14 boundaries to lead his team to 278-7 in 50 overs.

The 31-year-old said he would remember his comeback innings.

"A hundred on return is something I will remember and I am satisfied with my batting and will hope to continue the same form in the remaining matches."

He also thanked retired players including current coach Waqar Younis for his support and credited batting legend Mohammed Yousuf with helping him with his technique in the nets.

Earlier he had described the match as a "rebirth" and expressed his desire to return to don the country’s  colours.

He added that the return of Amir would boost Pakistan's chances on their New Zealand tour, where they play three Twenty20 and as many one-day internationals.

"Without doubt, Amir's return will strengthen Pakistan's bowling and competition will grow in the bowling contingent and others' performances will also get better, so I wish him the best."

Asif, 33, said he had overcome a difficult period in his life.

"The last five years were the toughest for me and for my family but I am happy that that period is over now and I am back on the field," he said.

"I have been training for the last five years. We both were in the team for the four-day tournament prior to the one-day matches but we were not allowed to play so I have been bowling in the nets and will not feel any problem," said Asif.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had said both Asif and Butt will have to complete their rehabilitation and perform to a high standard before harbouring any hopes of returning to international cricket.