“In my opinion such a penalty can only be given in match-fixing and not in a spot-fixing case,” Abdul Qadir said. -File photo

ISLAMABAD: Former cricketers have urge Pakistan's banned trio to appeal against International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision to suspend them if they consider themselves innocent.

The independent commission investigating the charges of spot-fixing against three players on Saturday handed a 10-year ban to former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, while pacers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were suspened for 7 and 5 years, respectively.

“The players must appeal against the ban if they are sure they are innocent,” former leg-spin wizard Abdul Qadir told APP.

He said that the decision was harsh. “In my opinion such a penalty can only be given in match-fixing and not in a spot-fixing case,” he said.

He said that the ICC should make it clear under which basis it had awarded such a harsh punishment.

Former skipper and wicketkeeper Moin Khan also said that the players must appeal if they believed that they were not guilty.

He said that the ban would bring an end to the careers of Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif, but Amir would still be able to play after completing the ban.

“Amir is quite young and can return to international cricket even after five years,” he remarked.