Spot-fixing case: Suspended Pak opener Butt hires ex-law minister to clear his name

KARACHI - Suspended Pakistan opening batsman and former captain Salman Butt has has hired former federal law minister Khalid Ranja as his lawyer to clear his name over allegations of spot-fixing on the recent tour of England.

The 26-year-old, who was suspended along with bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir after they were charged with offences under the anti-corruption code of conduct last month, will proceed to Dubai with Ranja next week to discuss matters with the ICC and its legal team.

Butt has vowed to prove his innocence, The News reports.

The trio appealed against the suspension earlier this month, and an ICC code of conduct commission was due to hear their appeals on October 30 and 31 in Doha, Qatar, but the hearing was moved to Dubai after Asif withdrew his appeal.

“We are innocent and have to fight our case on our own,” he told Geo Television.

He added: “The first and the foremost thing is to fight this case out, and I am eager to do that.”

Butt said it was for the accuser to prove the case.

“The onus is on them to prove. A player’s career is of 10 to 15 years, and if he is suspended it is cut short, so whatever doubts are there we have to remove them,” said Butt, who refused to comment directly on the allegations.

He also that Asif’s decision to withdraw his appeal might be strategic or because of financial reasons. (ANI)