Three players of the Pakistan cricket team were accused of spot-fixing in the Test match played against England at Lord’s in 2010, which later proved to be true and all three had to face punishment.
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Three Pakistani cricketers – Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, and Mohammad Amir. Whenever the name of these three is taken, the tag of a fixer is attached to them. There is a reason for this too. All three at Lord’s in 2010 Pakistan Was punished for spot-fixing in the Test match played against England. They were also banned. In the world of cricket, this incident is called a blot on the Gentleman’s Game and in this case, on this day i.e. on February 5, the ICC had run its baton on all three. The International Cricket Council, the apex body of cricket, had decided to ban these three.
The ICC had announced this punishment in 2011. All three were found guilty in the spot-fixing case by the court and then sentenced by the ICC. Butt was the captain of the Pakistan cricket team at that time. Asif and Amir were among the main fast bowlers of the team. All three were accused of deliberately throwing no balls in the match, which later proved to be true. Butt was telling both the bowlers when to do this.
Sin was committed on the Mecca of cricket
The Pakistan team was on a tour of England in 2010. Both the teams were playing the fourth Test match of the series at Lord’s ground. All three were caught stealing in this match. A tape of a player agent named Mazhar Majeed had surfaced in which he was seen discussing when no balls should be bowled in this Test match. After the matter came to light, the ICC imposed a temporary ban on these three players and then the hearing went on, after which the ICC banned Butt for 10 years, Asif for seven years and Amir for five years. However, this sentence of Salman and Asif was later reduced to five years. Aamir was also banned for five years. Majeed was also sentenced to two years and eight months.
All three, however, appealed against the ban imposed on them. The London court had given a shock to all three in November 2011 and sentenced them to jail. Butt was sentenced to two years and six months. Asif was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment. Amir was sentenced to six months. In 2012, however, Aamir was released after spending three months in jail.
But didn’t apologize
After getting the sentence, Butt expressed his shame for his actions and publicly apologized in 2013. Butt had then asked PCB chairman Najam Sethi to talk to the ICC to reduce the ban on him and Asif. He said in a press conference in Lahore, “I apologize to all the fans and the whole country who were hurt by the spot-fixing case. I appeal to the interim chairman to appeal to the ICC to reduce the ban on me and Asif. I have two years left in my ban and if the ICC allows me to play domestic cricket, I will be ready for international cricket by the time the ban ends.
came back in cricket
Aamir In January 2015, he signed up with the Karachi-based Grade-2 team after the ICC allowed him to play domestic cricket. Amir was successful in making a comeback in the Pakistan team. This left-arm bowler played an important role in helping Pakistan win the Champions Trophy final against India with his brilliant game. Butt and Asif also made a comeback in domestic cricket.
