Salman, Amir appeals to be heard next week

Judge to hear appeals against sentences on November 23.

LONDON: Britain’s top judge will next Wednesday hear appeals by banned Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir against their sentences for spot-fixing, said a judicial official.

Butt, 27, was on November 3 sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison while the 19-year-old Amir was sentenced to serve six months in a young offenders institute.

Lord Chief Justice Igor Judge, the head of the English judiciary, will hear their appeals.

In a scandal that rocked the world of cricket, Butt, Amir and fast-bowler Mohammad Asif, 28, were all jailed for their parts in fixing elements of the August 2010 Test match against England at Lord’s. Cricket agent Mazhar Majeed was also jailed.

Asif and Butt were found guilty on charges of conspiracy to cheat at gambling and conspiracy to accept corrupt payments after a trial, while Amir and Majeed admitted the charges.

Under the current arrangements, the four will serve half their sentences before being released on licence.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th,  2011.