Butt appeals against suspension

ICC chief says that Pakistan captain Salman Butt has appealed suspension over ongoing investigation into fixing.

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Captain Butt is alleged to have been involved with manipulating incidents in a Test against England [GALLO/GETTY]

Pakistan cricket captain Salman Butt has appealed against his suspension from the game for alleged fixing.

International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat told Sky Sports News on Wednesday that Butt’s appeal had been received the day before.

He added that Pakistan teammates Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif had yet to follow suit.

The three have been suspended while an investigation takes place into newspaper allegations they had deliberately arranged for no-balls to be delivered at last month’s fourth Test against England at Lord’s as part of a betting scam.

“It was late yesterday that we got a formal appeal from Salman Butt, not from the other two yet and we will move into convening a hearing to consider the appeal,” Lorgat said.

All three players have denied wrongdoing and have been supported by Pakistan cricket chiefs.

Suspicious

The ICC also launched an investigation into suspicious scoring patterns by Pakistan in the third one dayer against England, which the visitors won.

“I still believe that people trust the game. We have demonstrated and we will certainly ensure that the integrity of the sport is upheld”

Haroon Lorgat, ICC chief executive

Lorgat added the investigation into the scandal was complex, explaining: “It is even more so when it is alongside a criminal investigation and I am sure none of us wants to prejudice that investigation, but it is complicated.”

Asked if he thought corruption was rife in cricket, Lorgat replied: “I don’t believe so. On the contrary I think there are many, many players who are well and truly educated on what they need to be cautious and watchful for.

“There are many players who have reported suspicious approaches to us. These few instances, where we have breaches we follow through thoroughly.

“I still believe that people trust the game. We have demonstrated and we will certainly ensure that the integrity of the sport is upheld.

“I have no doubt that at the end of the day we will do everything possible to prove the sport is clean.”

Source: Reuters