I don't mind playing cricket with Salman Butt, says Asif
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The tainted duo of Mohammed Asif and Salman Butt will be sharing the dressing room once again after signing with Wapda for domestic competitions.
Former Pakistan captain Butt, and fast bowler Asif confirmed with Dawn that they were approached by Wapda and several other teams but signed on with the department after negotiating a favourable deal.
"I have signed with WAPDA after they made a good offer to me." said Butt.
"I need to play cricket now." the 31-year-old opener added.
Asif, too, said he was looking forward to getting on the field and did not mind sharing a dressing room with Butt.
"I have moved on now and I do not mind playing cricket with Salman," said the 32-year-old pacer.
"My concentration is completely on cricket now. I feel fully fit too."
In February 2011 an anti-corruption tribunal of the International Cricket Council (ICC) imposed a ban of five years on Amir, seven years on Asif — of which the final two years were conditionally suspended — and 10 years on Butt — of which the final five years were conditionally suspended.
They were charged with violating the ICC code of conduct by receiving money in return for arranging deliberate no-balls during the Lord's Test against England in 2010. Amir had entered guilty pleas on the same charges.
The ICC allowed 23-year-old Amir to play cricket few months before his five-year ban while Butt and Asif were permitted to continue from September 2015.
The Pakistan Cricket Board though ordered the latter two to go through a rehabilitation program, delaying their return.
But both the players said they were now itching for a return.
A source in the PCB told Dawn that both Asif and Butt were barred to play cricket until the end of the year and it was very unlikely that the duo could make a return to any form of cricket before that time period.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (50) Closed
Oct 08, 2015 11:52pm
these guys have absolutely no shame
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Oct 08, 2015 11:58pm
Wish both Salman and Asif a positive return. Life is too short to let negative people have a say in your lives.
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Oct 09, 2015 12:02am
and why would YOU mind ? . Well, I personally believe that people make mistakes and they should be given chances to redeem themselves, but as a fan I would be livid if either Salman or Asif plays for national team again.
Aamir was very young (
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Oct 09, 2015 12:04am
We don't mind them playing together in the domestic competitions but not on international level.
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Oct 09, 2015 12:04am
Best of luck guys and keep moving. To err is human-being and to forgive is divine...They are so many players are and have been involved in betting around the world but they are not punished by their boards even after the guilt is proved, but you have served your punishment. Plea to every Pakistani to embrace these guys if no than show me a single sinless person on the face of earth especially in Pakistan!
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Oct 09, 2015 12:08am
Congratulation to both. May God give both of you wisdom to differentiate between right and wrong.Wish you luck and welcome back in the dressing room.
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Oct 09, 2015 12:23am
They should not be allowed to play in the same team
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Oct 09, 2015 12:24am
Off course you don't :)
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Oct 09, 2015 12:26am
These two should never be given a chance to represent Pakistan, not ever.
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Oct 09, 2015 12:48am
@Abdulla Hussain
you are so correct
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Oct 09, 2015 12:56am
@kanwarch Why? Should they allowed to play with others? Majority of us are corrupt people or capable of being corrupt.
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Oct 09, 2015 01:10am
Of course they are fine to play with each other, that's how they cooked it last time.
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Oct 09, 2015 01:19am
I don't like both of you but I love Aamir; you both spoiled that kid
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Oct 09, 2015 01:19am
They have embarrassed the whole nation. Well human makes mistake they did, but now they should quit cricket and keep low profile and try to understand every time they appear on media anywhere pakistan name come with them. Imagine them playing for national team and commentators introducing them and discussing them along with pakistan.
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Oct 09, 2015 01:47am
Cheaters !
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Oct 09, 2015 01:57am
Salman, Asif, and Amir are victim of greed. There are plenty of more serious criminals in Pakistan who should be behind bars but are walking happily on street making a fool of the nation.
At least, their greed only impacted the gamblers, who are even more greedy. Betting is a legalized form of gambling and should be banned everywhere in the civilised world.
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Oct 09, 2015 02:18am
...but nation will definitely mind if anyone from you three represents Pakistan in International cricket.
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Oct 09, 2015 02:56am
Sure they don't mind but Im pretty sure close to 3oom people mind.
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Oct 09, 2015 03:08am
Great! Just please play cricket with each other.. in your sehen.
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Oct 09, 2015 03:20am
How cute! He also loves playing betting games with Salman..
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Oct 09, 2015 03:21am
Why wouldn't he mind playing? They were accomplices.
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Oct 09, 2015 03:58am
I mind both Salman and Asif playing cricket.
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Oct 09, 2015 04:44am
I am not sure why people are so against these players. In a country where accountability is nonexistent, dacoits and looters are ruling class AND get our votes when they stand for elections, here we have cricketers who committed a crime, paid price (JAIL) and as per the rules of governing body, are allowed to play at any level. Why than, in God's name, we want to limit there lives and impose a ban at any level, of course they have to prove on ground if they deserve to play at the highest level.
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Oct 09, 2015 05:02am
Personally, none of the 3 should be allowed to play for Pakistan but should have full access to all domestic competitions
If it is about second chances then all 3 should get that chance not just Amir; I found the whole argument about Amir's young age and innocence to be crap; he was NOT manipulated, he was smart enough to signup for corrupt payments
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Oct 09, 2015 05:05am
@AK just like any other Pakistani
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Oct 09, 2015 05:43am
What has happened to our nation. No doubt everybody has a past however these two individuals were not only directly involved in the match fixing scandal but hid the true facts for years when the case was progressing. They simply lied for years.This is not good for the game of cricket if they are given a chance at national level. I am sure all Pakistanis don't want to see remarks/ commentary on match fixing being made during a match of international level when one of them is on the field (God forbid). They even lied to their own families. I remember Salman's sister pleading the case for him in the media. (Poor girl).Just like we say about corrupt politicians should not be allowed,same should be followed for them, no matter how good they play. No one is bigger than the game!
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Oct 09, 2015 05:53am
is this actually a news? Or a satire from Nadim Paracha?
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Oct 09, 2015 06:47am
A 33 years old cricketer has short life of his career and he will do the same thing what he has done in order to get money. they both deserve WAPDA,, the way wapda is functioning this is how they functioned in the national team.
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Oct 09, 2015 06:53am
because you are the passengers of same vehicle.
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Oct 09, 2015 07:11am
You two are utter disgrace and contempt for our country and cricket . I bycott watching the matches if you ever play in them !
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Oct 09, 2015 08:15am
If Dhoni, Raina and Marlon Samuels can play international cricket (without ever being reprimanded in the Indian duo's case), why can the Pakistani trio not return after serving lengthy bans?
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Oct 09, 2015 09:27am
Cricket is the Game for Gentlemen.The trio should be made an example for rest.Rather to allow the insidious to corrupt the young minds.
Wapda being an govt department should be called to explain why they are signed the cricket hoodlum.
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Oct 09, 2015 09:47am
itching for a return?
these two are profound shame and disgrace for the entire country.
we had won matches without these two tainted cricketers.
had PCB kept these nefarious players out of domestic team, it would
have been a huge favor for the sake of our national cricket.
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Oct 09, 2015 10:13am
Disgrace to cricket and its fan to watch them play again
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Oct 09, 2015 10:19am
Everyone makes mistakes ...they committed their mistakes and punished. Now...lets forgive and get on with the life. Who don't love to see the bowling of Asif's swing bowling?
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Oct 09, 2015 10:22am
@ahmed Alam ...Well Aamir was not infant.
If you forgive, then forgive all and get on with life. Just because Aamir is good bowling prospect you cant excuse him. As you said...everyone makes mistakes and paid for it. Its short cricketing life, let them have another chance.
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Oct 09, 2015 11:28am
@Imran A. nice
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Oct 09, 2015 12:24pm
We will mind if any one of you play
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Oct 09, 2015 12:31pm
Their return to the national team will encourage 'ill practices', therefore they should play with 'each other' and 'against 'each other', but not in the national team please.
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Oct 09, 2015 01:13pm
Ban BOTH.
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Oct 09, 2015 01:14pm
These two cricketers are the most shameless cricketers of pakistan who brough so much shame and disgrace to Pakistan which is unparallel and without any equality.They should not be allowed to play again for even lahore or any other city because they will pollue other players mind who hate them like hell.They should not be allowed to create hatered and influence other cricketers who are working hard to make their career.
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Oct 09, 2015 01:19pm
For God sake dont allow these corrupt elements who sold every Pakistan respect in the world to bring the same down the hill grace to the world.We are already famous for Corrupt,fraud and do everything for money people.Let us save from these Laanats of the world.
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Oct 09, 2015 01:42pm
Trust a corrupt organisation to hire the WAPDA to hire the corrupt to enhance their image.
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Oct 09, 2015 02:33pm
They should play with each other in their backyard - we don't mind :))
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Oct 09, 2015 02:46pm
You might not mind but the rest of us do mind... no more international cricket for you lad.
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Oct 09, 2015 02:58pm
Why this trioka who disgrace Pakistan is given so much coverage in media and trying to push the BCCP to include them in Pakistan cricket squad.
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Oct 09, 2015 03:31pm
Now that's a classic example of Birds of the same feather (must) fly together.
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Oct 09, 2015 04:30pm
@AK . Birds of the feather flock together. Let them be but not on international circuit.
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Oct 09, 2015 09:19pm
Once a cheater always a cheater
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Oct 10, 2015 09:36am
I would like to see asif playing for pakistan as soon as possible.. He did a wrong, but should be forgiven.. Great bowler.. Cricket needs you.
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