Pakistan’s Salman Butt follows Amir suit, plays club match?
Only a few days after shocking revelations that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s suspended speed sensation Mohammad Amir had played a club match in Rawalpindi, Salman Butt has been caught in a controversy of playing a club match in Lahore.
Reports revealed that ex-captain Butt was seen playing a club game on his home ground in Model Town, Lahore, a charge the PCB was quick to deny. However, media reports said Lahore Cricket Association officials were also seen watching the match Butt played.
The ICC has barred Amir, Butt and fast bowler Muhammad Asif from playing cricket until the final decision has been made on the spot-fixing allegations against them. The trio was suspended on being named in a spot-fixing scam during Pakistan tour of England
in August 2010. They were accused of receiving money from bookie http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mazhar-c75448 Majeed for deliberate no-balls in the fourth Test against England at Lord’s.
As the word spread, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson denied the news, saying “Salman Butt has never appeared in any club match”.
The media reported only days ago that Amir played a club match at the Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi, much to the annoyance of the ICC that the cricket’s governing body had conveyed to the PCB.
The ICC condemned the PCB’s alleged disregard for the tribunal’s order that bars the scandal-marred players from the game even under the board’s associated bodies. Under the rules, the PCB is responsible for the activities of the suspended players in order
to ensure that the tribunal’s ban is upheld.
“The tribunal chief had made it clear after the hearing that the trio cannot participate in any cricketing activity and the order should have been respected,” reported a PCB official requesting anonymity.
The ICC’s reaction to Amir’s participation in a match had led to a clarification by Rawalpindi Cricket Association chief http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Naeem-c78451 Sarwar that the bowler was “unaware of the extent of the ban”. He said though Amir had not featured in any tournament that came
under the board, yet it will investigate the matter and will take necessary action if required. Amir has offered an apology for playing the club match.
In a six-day session at Doha, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Qatar-c2986, the three-men investigation tribunal – headed by Michael Beloff -- was to come up with the final verdict on 11 January, but the decision was deferred till 5 February.
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