Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and fast bowler Mohammad Asif have been found guilty for their part in a spot-fixing betting scam. The scam involved deliberately bowling three intentional no-balls during a Test match against England at Lords last August. The players had conspired with UK-based sports agent Mazhar Majeed.
The players were found guilty of conspiracy to cheat and conspiracy to accept corrupt payments. Spot-betting involves wagering on minor details within a sporting encounter such as the timing of the first corner during a soccer match or when a no-ball will be bowled in cricket.
Another bowler, Mohammad Amir, had previously pleaded guilty to the charges prior to the trial.
The BBC is reporting that all three are facing the prospect of jail terms. Conspiracy to accept corrupt payments carries a maximum prison term of seven years.
They cricketers were charged after a tabloid newspaper alleged they had taken bribes to bowl deliberate no-balls.
Aftab Jafferjee QC, for the prosecution, said the case “revealed a depressing tale of rampant corruption at the heart of international cricket”.
Haroon Lorgat, CEO of the ICC, said “We hope that this verdict is seen as a further warning to any individual who might, for whatever reason, be tempted to engage in corrupt activity within our sport.” He ensured that the ICC would do everything in its power to see that corruption within cricket was “comprehensively investigated and, where appropriate, robustly prosecuted”.
Sources: