Pak trio will find it difficult to remove stigma associated with ban: Akram

KARACHI - Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram reckons that it would be very hard for Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir to get rid of the stigma associated with the bans imposed on them by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for spot-fixing.

Butt was banned for 10 years, with five years suspended, while fast bowlers Asif and Amir were handed bans of seven years with two suspended and five years respectively.

The charges relate to alleged incidents during last year’s Lord’s Test against England, when Britain’s ‘News of the World’ tabloid claimed the players were willing to deliberately bowl no-balls.

“I do feel sorry for the players and I can imagine what they must be going through right now particularly their families and friends,” the Daily Times quoted Akram, as saying.

“This incident comes at a time when the whole country is going through a low patch and it is a tough situation for all Pakistanis. Removing this stigma would be difficult for the trio,” he added.

Akram, however, backed the bans insisting that they would be like a lesson to players who have been approached by bookmakers.

“All this is very sad news for Pakistan and these youngsters, but they made mistakes and they must face the music. But I feel the tribunal verdict shows that the ICC is serious about tackling any corruption in cricket,” Akram said. (ANI)