KARACHI, (Reuters) – Pakistan pace bowler Mohammad Asif said yesterday he had withdrawn his appeal against a suspension for alleged spot-fixing next week in order to give his lawyers more time to prepare a detailed challenge.
Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt have been suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after an investigation into a newspaper report that they had deliberately arranged for no-balls to be delivered in the fourth test against England at Lord’s last August.
On Friday the ICC said Asif had withdrawn his appeal and arrangements were now being made for test captain Butt and fast bowler Amir to challenge their suspensions in Dubai on October 30 and 31.
“I decided to withdraw the appeal against the suspension for now since we got the detailed documents relating to the case late from the ICC and my lawyers need more time to prepare for a detailed challenge,” Asif told Reuters.
Asif said he had done nothing wrong and would eventually contest both the suspension and the spot-fixing allegations. “I am innocent,” he said.
Butt told Geo TV Asif’s decision to withdraw his appeal would not affect his challenge.
“I have no intentions of withdrawing my appeal. I have done nothing wrong and this suspension means loss of valuable cricket time for me and I will challenge it,” Butt said.
He said he remained optimistic that the ICC would remove the suspension at the forthcoming hearing.
“I am clear in conscience as I have done nothing wrong. The onus of proving their allegations against me is now on the accusers,” Butt said.
British police are also investigating the spot-fixing allegations against the trio who have denied any wrongdoing.
