OPTIMISTIC: 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. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
Pakistan’s tainted former captain Salman Butt has apparently made his first full confession of guilt to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in the infamous 2010 spot-fixing scandal, the Press Trust of India reported.
Butt who was banned along with Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Aamir in the aftermath of the spot fixing scandal that broke out when Pakistan was touring England made the confession during a meeting with PCB chief, Shaharyar Khan in Lahore.
“Apparently Butt during his meeting made a full confession that he knew and was involved in the spot fixing that took place in the fourth test against England at Lords and that he had instructed Aamir and Asif to bowl the no-balls,” a source in the board told PTI.
“Butt also expressed his complete regret and said he was willing to cooperate totally with the ICC,” the source said.
RELATED: Petition seeking lifetime ban on Amir, Asif, Butt filed in SHC
Butt had in the past apologised to the nation for letting them down and also regretted his involvement in the spot fixing scandal that saw the trio get minimum five year bans from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and also serve varying jail sentences in the United Kingdom which they served in 2011.
The source said that Butt’s full fledged confession came after the ICC informed the PCB that it was not satisfied with the earlier statements made by Butt and Asif and the two needed to admit their proper involvement and guilt in the scandal.
“Butt has had a change of heart after he approached the PCB to also plead his case with the ICC anti-corruption unit to review his ban under the revised anti-corruption laws under which Muhammad Aamir has got a relaxation to play domestic cricket before his five year ban ends in September this year,” the source said.
RELATED: ICC eases ban: Returning Aamir promises to be ‘better human’
The ICC has held Butt as the mastermind of the spot fixing scandal in which Asif and Aamir bowled deliberate no balls for large payments from the UK based Pakistani bookmaker Mazhar Majeed who is serving time.
Another source said that after Butt’s renewed stance the PCB would now send his case and request to the ICC for a fresh review so that the former captain can also get a chance to play domestic cricket before his ban ends.
In Butt’s case after his five-year ban ends there is also the matter of his suspended ban sentence, of the same period, which can be put aside by the ICC anti-corruption unit freeing him to resume playing cricket.
Aamir's return
On January 29, banned fast bowler Aamir had received an early reprieve for a return to domestic cricket following his cooperation with anti-corruption officials.
Amir’s five-year ban was scheduled to expire on September 2 but the 22-year-old could return to domestic cricket with immediate effect, the ICC said in a statement.
“It’s the biggest news of my life,” he had told AFP by phone adding that “It was the most difficult phase of my life but I am sure it’s over now and I am keen to return to international grounds.”
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