Karachi, Jan 28 (IANS) After Mohammad Aamer, another suspended Pakistan cricketer -Salman Butt – has allegedly flouted International Cricket Council (ICC) directives by featuring in a club match in Lahore.
According to reports, the former Pakistan captain featured in a club game played at his home ground in Model Town, Lahore, even though the ICC has in clear terms told the suspended players and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that they cannot take part in any cricket activity that come under the umbrella of the PCB or its affiliated units.
Mainstream Urdu daily ‘Jang’ reported Friday that Lahore’s cricket association officials were present when Butt, a Test opener, took part in the match.
However, a PCB spokesman has denied the report and claimed that Butt never appeared in any club game.
Last week, ‘The News’ reported that Mohammad Aamer featured in a club match in Rawalpindi. The ICC demanded answers from the PCB on the issue.
Butt, Aamer and fellow Pakistan player Mohammad Asif were provisionally suspended by the ICC last September over allegations of spot-fixing during Pakistan’s tour of England.
An ICC anti-corruption tribunal heard the case relating to the three suspended players in Doha, Qatar, Jan 6-11 and is due to announce its verdict Feb 5 in the Qatari capital.
The tainted trio were suspended by the ICC with the world governing body’s code of conduct carrying a minimum five-year ban if corruption charges are proved. The maximum punishment is a life ban.
Their suspension came after reports in the British tabloid News of the World which claimed several Pakistani players — including the trio — were involved in spor fixing during the Lord’s Test in August.
