Asif appears before PCB’s anti-corruption department

Banned fast-bowler hands written apology to board, shares information.

KARACHI:

Banned fast-bowler Mohammad Asif, who admitted to his spot-fixing guilt publicly last week, submitted a written apology to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), whilst sharing information related to the spot-fixing case.

A PCB spokesperson gave confirmation to The Express Tribune that the former national player visited the board’s headquarters yesterday and met PCB Chairman Najam Sethi, besides encountering the vigilance and anti-corruption department.

The official added that Asif shared information related to the spot-fixing scandal during the 2010 Lord’s Test that also saw bans imposed on former captain Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir.

Asif, who is serving a ban of at least five years by the International Cricket Council (ICC), said he had his first session of redemption. “The session with the PCB officials ended positively,” stated the fast-bowler. “It was just the first one and I will attend more of such sessions with the aim of arriving at a resolution.”



He committed that he would share all information he had on him with the board.

“I will share with the PCB whatever I have in relation to the spot-fixing case that will help them and the world of cricket fight corruption. I will follow all of the ICC and PCB’s directives and fully cooperate with them in this matter.”

We have the right to return, says Asif

Asif was the last to apologise for his actions and continued to plead his innocence until last week.

Asked how he felt now, he said he was extremely regretful for his actions. “However, I will not repeat the same thing again and again as I’ve already apologised.”

The fast-bowler, who had exchanged harsh statements earlier with fellow culprits Butt and Amir, wished luck to both his former teammates.

“All of us have the right to return [after the bans] to international cricket.”

Unlike Butt and Asif, Amir enjoys sympathy from majority of those from the cricket circle due to his young age. Recently, Sethi also raised a voice for the youngster, asking the ICC to show leniency in his ban.

However, Asif refused to answer when questioned whether he wanted the same treatment for all three of them.

Meanwhile, another PCB official said the rehabilitation for the former player would start once the process of information-sharing was completed.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2013.

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