Former PCB chief demands life ban for Salman Butt

Published September 1, 2015
In this photo, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt leaves Southwark Crown Court in London, on October 27, 2011. — AFP/File
In this photo, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt leaves Southwark Crown Court in London, on October 27, 2011. — AFP/File

Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) former chairman Ijaz Butt finally broke his silence on the spot-fixing affair and demanded that a life ban be imposed on former captain Salman Butt, BBC Urdu reported.

Ijaz, who was heading the PCB at the time of the spot-fixing scandal in 2010, said in an interview to BBC: “Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt have served their sentences in England, but Pakistan should also impose some punishment on them and the board mustn't allow the former captain to represent the country again.”

He, however, added that the fast bowling duo of Asif and Amir should be kept under strict watch for a time period of at least six months.

The 77-year-old said he would have banned Butt, who according to him was the 'central figure' in the scandal, for life.

“Butt was the central figure and he also pressurised Amir to get involved in spot-fixing,” Ijaz added.

The former PCB chief also revealed that he tried convincing Amir to keep him in the loop with developments when the spot-fixing scandal surfaced but the fast bowler did not oblige.

Ijaz also revealed how Mazhar Majeed, the trio's agent also disgraced in the episode, was introduced to the players.

“Mazhar Majeed, who used to work as an agent, has been in contact with Pakistan cricketers for a long time,” said Ijaz.

“Every player we inquired, told that they were introduced to him by some former cricketers.”

The former PCB chief said he had accepted his responsibility while being at the helm of affairs and added that he was ready to cooperate with the board's current administration in this regard.

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