Banned Butt excited by World Cup TV pundit debut

Salman Butt says he has been cleared by the International Cricket Council to work as a World Cup pundit.

LAHORE: Banned Pakistan star Salman Butt on Wednesday said he had been cleared by the International Cricket Council to work as a World Cup pundit on a local television channel.

"I am delighted to make my debut as television commentator," Butt, the former Test captain, told AFP.

"My lawyer (Yasin Patel) has told me that the ICC tribunal chairman Michael Beloff has no problems with me doing the commentary."

The 26-year-old was banned from the sport for 10 years, of which five were  suspended, by the ICC's anti-corruption tribunal on February 5 over spot-fixing charges relating to last year's Lord's Test against England.

Pacemen Mohammad Asif was banned for seven years, including two years suspended, and Mohammad Amir was given five years on the same charges.

The trio also face criminal prosecution in Britain and are due to appear in a London court on March 17.

Butt will commentate on the Urdu language Channel Five on all of Pakistan's matches, starting with the clash against Kenya at Hambantota on Wednesday.

"It is wonderful to share my opinion on television and I am happy that if I am not able to play I am working as a pundit," said Butt, who played 33 Tests, 78 one-day internationals and 24 Twenty20 games before his suspension.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat had slammed the appointment of Butt as a pundit, saying he had asked tribunal chief Beloff whether or not his employment contravened the terms of his suspension.

Butt said he will also cover the knock-out stages of the event.

"Besides giving comments on Pakistan's matches, I will also do the knock-out matches until the final," said Butt.

Butt also has no restrictions from the Pakistan Cricket Board after his central contract was terminated by the them late last year.

His domestic employers, the National Bank, also severed his contract earlier this month.