ICC bans Pakistani cricketers for spot-fixing

LONDON - The International Cricket Council has handed down suspensions to three Pakistan cricketers for their involvement in spot-fixing.

According to the Guardian, former skipper Salman Butt has been given a 10-year ban, five years of which are suspended. Fast bowler Mohammad Asif has been banned for seven years, two of which are suspended, while left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir has been banned for five years.

The bans came a day after British prosecutors announced that the trio would face criminal charges over their part in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal, specifically over their actions in the fourth cricket test against England at Lord’s.

The prosecution said the trio, along with the 35-year-old sports agent Mazhar Majeed from Croydon, had been charged with conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments and with conspiracy to cheat.