Karachi: The spot-fixing scandal that rocked Pakistan Cricket last year is heading towards its conclusion, as the criminal case registered against the trio is underway at a London court.
It is anticipated that the trio, Salman Butt, Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Ammir would be handed down severe punishment, however the former lawyer of Salman Butt, Aftab Gull feels otherwise.
Gul, who initially represented Butt, says the former skipper as well as the lanky pacers don’t deserve an adverse verdict.
“The prosecution does not have enough evidence to prove them (Asif & Salman) guilty in the court . In fact the footage of the News of the World (NoTW) is also inconclusive as these players were not seen receiving money from the bookie,” Gul opined. “Conviction of Asif and Salman in the case would be unjust,” he added.
Aftab Gull was Salman Butt’s lawyer when he appealed against his suspension with a tribunal set up by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Doha last year. The tribunal, however, upheld the ban imposed by the ICC and later Salman Butt decided to replace Gull.
“Since Muhammad Amir has already made a confession, therefore, his chances are bleak, but other two should be given the benefit of doubt,” added Gull.
The trio along with their agent Mazhar Majeed are facing charges of conspiracy to cheat, and conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments, following the Lord’s test in August last year when they allegedly bowled pre-planned no-balls. Butt and Asif deny the charges.
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