Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Asif, who was found guilty of match fixing in 2010, was released from jail today, Express News has reported.
Asif was kept in a jail compound for international convicts a few miles outside of London at Canterbury. According to his lawyer Ravi Gill, Mohammad Asif’s visa has expired and so an appeal to extend the visa has been made but no final decision regarding the visa has been confirmed yet.
The infamous trio, Mohammad Asif, Salman Butt and Mazhar Majeed were all given jail terms of varying lengths by a court in London in October 2011 for being involved in spot-fixing during Pakistan's tour of England in 2010.
Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt have both been kept at Canterbury jail, whereas Mazhar Majeed has been placed in an open jail in London where British citizens are jailed.
They had been found guilty of bowling no-balls on predetermined deliveries in exchange for vast amounts of money. The fix had been made between Mazhar Majeed, who was close to the players, and an undercover News of the World reporters. The undercover reporters managed to video tape the entire deal.
Asif, 29, was jailed for 12 months while Butt was given a 30-month sentence. All three had appealed against their sentences but were rejected by the Lord Chief Justice.
In February 2011, an International Cricket Council (ICC) tribunal had banned former captain Butt for 10 years (the last five years of which have been suspended should no further offences happen), Asif for seven years (with last two years suspended should no further offences happen) and Mohammad Amir for five years.
According to his lawyer, Mohammad Asif's case will be appealed and the ICC decision banning him from playing will also be appealed. He further stated that appeal documents have been prepared. He may stay with friends/family while in England, however, that all depends on his immigration status said Gill.
Mohammad Asif father was interviewed by our correspondent where he expressed his angst against the sentence allotted to his son. He stated that the decision was made without any evidence and it was an unfair decision. He also stated that there was no reason for Mohammad Asif to discontinue playing cricket and that he will continue to play.
COMMENTS (26)
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@Pakistan politics: why at least he is better than our politicians. He is foreign qualified and now he can play with improved expertise:)
Can you please keep your corrupt politicians , players and especially mullahs out of the UK please
Asif has become controversial and Pakistani cricket really does not need more controversy.
These convicted cheats will soon be back in Pakistan cricket team and back to their old ways. Pakistani awam has memory of a mosquito.
asif and amir both should be sent to jail again and i demand suppreme court of pakistan to punish them again according to pakistan courts as they need more punishment bcoz they have defamed the whole nation
What a appealer he is. The umpire has already given his decision but still he appeals and appeals.
@Pungi: spot on........
@kashif raza: LOL, do you even know his crime? Do you even know what gambling is and what's the difference between what he did and gambling? He committed a huge crime, he cheated against you and me (and I don't care if corrupt players from other countries are still playing, I only care about Pakistan players), you are too brainwashed my friend and only speak Mullah rhetoric and bring Islam into cricket affairs too. LOL.
Released, already? Tch, tch, tch-----what a pity----they should have kept him where he was---couple of months as bonus or pay off would have done it.
If Suresh Raina can play for India & if Shane Warne can play for Australia after all their fixing... then Asif, Amir & Salman can also represent Pakistan..!!
I like his honorable approach. He should be given all the opportunity to clear his name. I am not sure if he can, however, I believe if he wants to do it there must be something in it. This man has lost his livelihood, his honor. What is a man without honor? Give him a chance, give him your support, maybe he has something to prove a point and that we do not know. I wish him good luck and godspeed in his effort to redeem his honor. Go for it Asif.
Asif will rule pak cricket soon. This is the trend in our country. Qurbaanian di hain aakhir LOL
send him to Bannu jail!
Asif bowled and appealed and this time the decision comes from the Police Department..... "Out"
:D
is this guy still in denial?
One more corrupt guy trying to get asylum in UK. Please deport him otherwise you will have to give him unemployment benefits and housing etc. UK tax payers do not want to fund these cheats with thousands of Pounds per month.
We dont wanna see him playing again wearing green shirts