Disgraced Butt begs for PCB help to end ban
Butt was banned in September 2010 for a minimum of five years by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and jailed in Britain accepting money in return for deliberate no-balls in the 2010 Lord's Test against England.
Fast bowlers Muhammad Amir and Muhammad Asif were also banned over the incident, one of the most notorious scandals in the history of the sport.
The ICC on Monday revised its anti-corruption code, paving the way for banned players to feature in domestic matches a few months before their bans expire.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to apply for Amir to be allowed to play again but not for Butt or Asif.
The bans are due to expire next August. Butt said he expected the PCB to help him as well.
"Cricket is my bread and butter and I hope the PCB take up my appeal as well as this is the only chance I can relive my passion, that is cricket," said Butt .
But PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said that Butt and Asif have not completed their rehabilitation, a claim Butt contests.
"I have been to the PCB offices a dozen times in the past year to know what else I have to do to complete my rehab but I am still waiting for their final reply," said Butt.
While handing out the bans, the ICC Anti-corruption tribunal, headed by Michael Beloff, directed the players to publicly apologise for their crime, tell future players how to avoid the pitfalls and to co-operate with the ICC.
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@pakistani you are absolutely right about Butt and Asif. However, Amir pleaded guilty from the start. He accepted his mistake and apologised from the very beginning. And he is just 22, i am sure he has a career ahead of him. He was just 18 when he did those things. I am sure none of us were mature enough to always do the right thing at the age of 18 especially when you come from a poor background and especially when the captain ropes you in.
Has Aamir publicly apologize? everyone needs a 2nd chance but not these traitors. These guys were already one of the highest paid employee in pakistan. What make them to betray their own nation for stupid money. What is the guarantee they won't do these cheap things again? After all, they would need money more now than ever as they are at the end of their career.
Not the captain , never!
You were the Captain of the team, you are not returning.
No absolutely not. This hardened criminal should be kept as far away from current team as possible. Only Amir deserves some consideration not the other two who have been a spent force now. They have made tons of money and do not deserve any leniency.
No way should Butt and Asif be allowed to play again ... they lied blatantly through out the saga and only apologized ages after they were proved guilty ...