Imran ‘genuinely upset’ over ICC bans on ‘key, young and talented’ Pak players

ISLAMABAD - Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan has said that he is “genuinely upset” at the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption tribunal’s decision to ban former Pakistan skipper Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.

However, he did admit that the punishments were necessary for the sake of the game in Pakistan.

“I am genuinely upset over the bans on three key, young and talented players,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Imran, as saying.

“But once the players were proven guilty a punishment has to be given for the sake of cricket in general and for the sake of Pakistan cricket in particular,” he added.

The trio were charged over incidents during the Lord’s Test against England in August last year, when Britain’s ‘News of the World’ tabloid claimed the players were willing to deliberately bowl no-balls.

The tabloid had alleged that the three had colluded in a spot-fixing betting scam organized by British-based agent Mazhar Majeed.

Imran further said the loss of three players would hurt Pakistan’s chances in the upcoming World Cup in the Indian sub-continent.

“I feel sad for Aamer, who is probably the best young fast bowler in the world at the moment and had a long way to go,” Imran said.

“Asif is one of the best new ball bowlers and Butt is a solid opener, so with these three key players Pakistan would have done very well in the World Cup, but that is not to be,” he added. (ANI)