Butt's lawyer says corruption 'rife' in cricket

"I will tell you names which will make your hair stand on end," claims Salman Butt's lawyer.

LONDON: One of the lawyers assisting former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has said "corruption is rife in world cricket," adding he has evidence that "will make your hair stand on end".

Butt, together with Pakistan seamers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, has been charged under the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption code in relation to allegations of spot-fixing during the fourth Test against England at Lord's in August.

The trio were provisionally suspended ahead of a hearing by an independent tribunal in Doha due to take place between January 6-11.

All three players deny the allegations against them and Aftab Gul, a member of Butt's legal team, said in an interview with with an international sports channel: "Corruption is rife in world cricket.

"I have so much evidence. I will tell you names which will make your hair stand on end."

Asked what the biggest form of corruption is, Gul added: "It has now become spot fixing, it is much easier."

The News of the World tabloid accused Aamer and Asif of bowling no-balls to order, with Butt alleged to be conducting events as captain.

However, Butt said: I'd like to say obviously I haven't done anything such as this in all my life and all my cricket career.

Asked if his team-mates were corrupt, Butt said: "No, I don't believe it."

He added: "I wish that all three of us get back and play for our country which is our passion because we love cricket and we would love to get back and play for our country."

Butt, when questioned as to whether corruption was a problem in Pakistan cricket, said: "If it is there it should be erased.

"But it does exist all over the world, it happens everywhere, name any sport, any department of life and there are people who are trying to dodge other people and as individuals the best thing we can do is try ourselves not to indulge in it."