Salman Butt agreed to bat maiden over – prosecutor
LONDON: Former Pakistan cricket captain Salman Butt agreed to score no runs in an over during a Test match against England last year as part of a ‘spot-fixing’ scam, a court in London heard on Thursday.
Prosecutors said Butt, 26, confirmed in a telephone call with his agent — a conversation recorded by an undercover journalist — that he would bat out a maiden in the third Test at the Oval in August 2010.
Butt is on trial with fast bowler Mohammad Asif, 28, on charges of conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments, and conspiracy to cheat at gambling. They have both pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutor Aftab Jafferjee told Southwark Crown Court that Butt’s agent Mazhar Majeed rang the journalist from the now-closed News of the World tabloid, after an earlier arrangement for no-balls to be bowled in exchange for £10,000 ($15,500, 11,600 euros) fell through.
In what Jafferjee said was “potentially damning evidence concerning Salman Butt directly”, a plan emerged for Butt to bat out a maiden in the first full over he faced.
The journalist said that could happen in any case and that he wanted proof, so Majeed called Butt on his other phone and put it on loudspeaker so the reporter could hear.
“You know the maiden we were doing in the first over?”, Majeed said.
“Yeah”, Butt replied. Majeed then tried to get him to do another in his third over, but Butt did not want to, the jury heard.
The following day Majeed met the journalist, then texted Butt four times to remind him to tap the middle of the pitch after the second ball he faced as a signal that he would bat out that over.
Jafferjee said that that day, “as events transpired at The Oval, matters were somewhat out of Butt’s control”, as he had come in to bat earlier than expected, faced a new ball and had to take a single run.
The journalist had pressed Majeed on why the promise he had paid for had not materialised. Majeed explained and the reporter said he wanted a no-ball or something from Butt.
Majeed said he could have two ‘brackets’ for £150,000 in the next Test at Lord’s. A bracket is where bets are made on incidents during a certain period of play, for example 10 overs.
“As events would prove, he got a bit of both — no-balls from Asif and Aamer which could not have taken place without Butt’s complete involvement,” Jafferjee said.
Young Pakistan bowler Mohammad Aamer and Majeed have also been charged with the same offences but are not standing trial alongside Butt and Asif. AGENCIES
Amir And Butt Appeals Against Ban
Pakistani players Salman Butt and Muhammad Amir have appealed against the ban they were forced by ICC. Both players were intending to appeal and finally they have filed an appeal at the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland. They were banned for planning and bowling pre-planned No Ball.
ICC Satisfied After Players Ban
ICC chief executive, Haroon Lorat said ICC is satisfied with the ban on three Pakistani players. He said that he was expecting the same from the tribunal and they have decided the case well. He added that tribunal was independent tribunal and the hearing was conducted in the unbiased way.
Salman Butt has been banned for 10 years, Asif for seven years while Amir has been banned for 5 years. The decision is welcomed by the ICC. Lorgat said that the team hearing the case was the experience team and they done total independent work and ICC is fully satisfied with the performance of the tribunal.
Lorgat said that he was confident that the players will get punishment for their doings. He added that they have done corruption in the game and they have to pay for it. He also said that corruption in the game will never be bear by any mean. He committed on zero tolerance.
The chairman of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) Ronnie Flanagan added that the investigation against the corruption was initiated far before the news was broke by the news of the world. He said that ACSU gather evidence against the players and completed the investigations against them. Now Asif and Salman Butt have a chance to reduce their punishment up to 5 years.
PCB Declares The Ban A Sad Reality
Former Pakistani captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Amir got the ban of 10,7 and 5 years respectively. They were suspended last year in August by ICC and were not able to participate in any kind of cricket. Amir is just 18 year old and he is facing 5 years ban. He said that the punishment of bowling two no-balls is too much.
PCB chairman was very sad after the ban on players and he issued a statement against England players. He later apologies from the English board. Butt said that integrity is the main concern in the cricketing world and PCB will never compromise on the integrity issue.
The trio is opened to appeal against the case in 21 days. Amir is committed to appeal against the decision but PCB is not supporting the players. They are following ICC code of conduct.
PCB was asked by ICC to show zero tolerance against the players. They want the players at domestic level to stay away fro corruption. Zero compromise policy worked for them and they remained champion through out the year. ICC also issued 30 days deadline to PCB to make good his matters. PCB has worked on the issues and not they are going in the right direction.
Salman And Asif Will Face Life-Time Ban: British newspaper
ICC Anti-turbional will give its final verdict against three Pakistani players Muhammad Aamir, Muhammad Asif and Salman Butt on 5 February but British newspaper “The Sun” claims that ICC anti-corruption unit decided to give big punishment to trio players due to this Salman and Asif will have to face life-time ban while Muhammad Aamir will face a 5 year ban.
Salman And Asif Will Face Life-Time Ban
Before this, the English media also claims that former captain will face life time ban while other two players have to face a ban of 2, 2 years. To know about their fates, Salman and Aamir will depart today to Doha while Muhammad will reach Qatar directly from London.
The hearing of spot-fixing case was started on in Doha, Qatar on 6 January and completed on 11 January; one the unanimous decision was to delay the announcement of final verdict to 5 February. During the hearing lawyers of former Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and the concluded the defense and completed
their statements. Rest of the hearing, was delivered behind the closed doors.
During the hearing former captain, Salman Butt, told to the tribunal that he had no idea how bookie Mazhar Majeed had predicted when the no-balls would be bowled. Muhammad Asif, who was represented by Alexander Cameroon, the brother of Britain Prime Minister, claimed that he had unintentionally recorded one of the no-balls after being told by the captain, to bowl a faster delivery. Muhammad Amir’s lawyer was hinted that he will use Amir’s age and previous good character as mitigating factor.
British Michael Beloff, is heading the three-man commission, other two tribunal members are Justice Albie Sachs and Sharad Rao. The commission has already reserved the decision and fates of trio players will be decided after two days now. The eyes of entire Pakistani nation and all cricket lovers are looking towards Doha where Beloff is going to give the verdict of the case.
Spot-fixing case: ICC upholds verdict on Pakistan trio
The International Cricket Council has deferred its decision on three Pakistan players accused of corruption until a separate hearing on 5 February.
The ICC’s anti-corruption panel want more time to consider verdicts on former skipper Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.
The trio are suspended from cricket while spot-fixing claims in August’s Test against England are investigated. The ICC’s three-man tribunal will reconvene in the Qatari city of Doha. Michael Beloff QC, Justice Albie Sachs and Sharad Rao have heard six days of evidence since Thursday.
The most serious charges they are considering would attract bans ranging from five years to life.
The trio was all charged with various offences under Article 2 of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code. They all deny any wrong-doing, but have been provisionally suspended since the allegations came to light in the days following the Test. At the hearing, the players faced cross-examination as they sought to defend themselves on the charges. Asif was the last of the three to give evidence in his defence on Monday before closing arguments.
The backbone of the evidence against the trio is a 54-page document detailing the News Of The World’s investigation. In the NOTW document it is understood there are details of numerous phone calls and texts involving the players and investigative journalist Mazher Mahmood.
Butt Faced Tough Cross-Examination In ICC Hearing
Pakistani players are in Doha to defend the allegation of fixing against them. During the hearing of ICC former Pakistani Captain Salman Butt was having tough time on third day. First his own lawyer examined him and clear things to tribunal. After that he was cross-examined by the lawyers of ICC. He was having tough time in the hearing due to tough cross-examination.
According to reports he was examined and questioned by the money found from his hotel room. Sources said that Butt has also presented an agreement with Shoe Company. Observers of the hearing said that it was tough examination of Salman Butt.
Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Amir Chances to have such tough examination also increase. It is also said that Butt spent whole third day in cross examination and it was really tough for him.
On Friday two Pakistani captains Shahid Afridi and coach Waqar Younis has also recorded their statements to ICC. Butt was relaxed after the day’s hearing and came out with his lawyer more relaxed then previous day. It is still not confirm weather Butt’s cross-examination will continue tomorrow or it will be ended.
Fourth day will be important for Salman Butt and other two Pakistani players. The hearing will continue till 11th January and will decide the future of three Pakistani players.
Pakistan cricket ‘spot-fixing’ trio face tribunal
DOHA: A make-or-break anti-corruption tribunal against Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer opens in Doha Thursday, with the players facing lengthy bans if found guilty.
The hearing will be held behind closed doors at the Qatar Financial Centre from 0630 GMT and is scheduled to run until January 11, although lawyers have indicated a verdict may come earlier.
The three face charges of spot-fixing during Pakistan’s tour of England last year in a scandal that rocked the sport. It is alleged that they conspired in the bowling of deliberate no-balls — claims they all deny.
They were provisionally suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in September, with the world governing body’s code of conduct carrying a minimum five-year ban if corruption charges are proved.
Salman Butt Might Gets Seven Year Ban on Him In Spot Fixing Scandal
December 26, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under Breaking News
Former Pakistani captain Salman Butt and two fast bowlers Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Amir are waiting for the final hearing of spot fixing scandal. According to local media website of Pakistan all three players will get the verdict against them. The information came from the sources of ICC that these players will get the verdict against them.
All three players are currently suspended by ICC and there are reports that ICC is planning to fine heavily to former Pakistani captain Salman Butt. He is likely to get a suspension of seven years. The two fast bowlers will get 2 year suspension. The captain will be fined heavily as he has a sole responsibility of the players.
New Zealand, Pakistan seek honour in adversity
WELLINGTON: With New Zealand cricket in turmoil on the field and Pakistan in tumult off it, there is plenty at stake for both sides when they launch a 11-match series with a Twenty20 game in Auckland Sunday.
Over the next seven weeks New Zealand and Pakistan will attempt to turn their fortunes around as they play three Twenty20s, two Tests and six one-dayers before heading to the subcontinent for the one-day World Cup.
Pakistan’s internal turmoil has forced them to field a spare-parts team with several of their stars left at home including alleged spot-fixers Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif.
To add to the pressure, they were skittled out for a meagre 91 by Auckland in their one-day warm up game and then saw the home side overhaul the target for the loss of only five wickets and with nearly seven overs to spare.
