Mixed reactions in Pak over ICC’s decision to uphold Butt, Amir suspensions

LAHORE - Former Pakistan cricketers and officials have voiced mixed reactions over the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s decision to uphold the suspensions of Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir over their alleged involvement in a ’spot-fixing’ scandal.

Butt, Amir and Mohammad Asif were suspended in September after a British tabloid claimed that the trio were involved in ’spot-fixing’ the Lord’s Test against England in August.

All three had appealed against the suspension, but Asif later withdrew his application.

Former Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Tauqir Zia said that the dismissal of the appeals was justified.

“The decision was expected because ICC would not have suspended these players for so long without any basis,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Zia, as saying.

Former Pakistan captain Asif Iqbal also said that the decision did not surprise him at all.

“It may be disappointing, but it was expected because the ICC upholding the suspension proves that they have enough evidence against the players to levy those sanctions,” Iqbal said.

“Suspension is not a punishment. The ICC suspended the players because Pakistan cricket authorities did not withdraw them after the allegations were levelled, so now the players have a case to answer before the commission,” he added.

However, former Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir believed that the ICC was guilty of discrimination.

“Pakistani players have been targeted by the ICC. India’s Suresh Raina has also been alleged to have been in contact with bookmakers, but that case was not taken up,” Qadir said.

The innocence or guilt of the players, who have denied any wrongdoing, will now be judged at an independent tribunal, the date of which has yet to be set. (ANI)