Beleaguered Butt turns to pal Pawar
Sept. 16: A 75-minute meeting between the ICC president Sharad Pawar and Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ejaz Butt on Thursday did precious little to bring about a change in the International Cricket Council’s firm stance on the three Pakistan players charged with spot-fixing.
Despite Butt pushing for lenient punishment for embattled Pakistan skipper Salman Butt and pacers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir in case the trio are found guilty by an ICC tribunal, Pawar maintained that stern action would be taken.
“ICC wants to maintain the sanctity of the game and all member countries, including PCB, are assisting in preserving it. The PCB is not a separate entity, it is also a part of the ICC,” Pawar told reporters here after the meeting at his residence.
Pawar’s aides told this newspaper that the cabinet minter had assured Butt a fair trial would be handed to the trio, but there was no scope for leniency if the charges were proved.
Pawar said that the ICC would not jump into any conclusion till the probe was complete. “Till Scotland Yard’s probe is complete how can we comment. But if anything is established we will take a strong stand. Without information we should not jump into any conclusions,” Pawar said.
“Prima facie there are some allegations and we have suspended the players on the basis of that. Scotland Yard has permitted them to go back to Pakistan and the PCB has also promised to make them available to the investigators if and when required.”
Butt is fighting to keep his job in the face of an irate Pakistan senate, and the ICC’s suspension of the trio, particularly that of talented 18-year-old fast bowler Amir has just stoked the fire.
Butt, however dismissed suggestions he was under pressure from certain quarters to seek leniency. “As far as we are concerned, there is no tolerance at all. If they are found guilty the book will be thrown at them,” he said, adding that players should be treated as “innocent unless proven guilty”.
Butt also claimed that the PCB was not offended with the ICC’s move to provisionally suspend the players. “We are not offended. ICC asked them to individually answer and all of them have done so. If anyone is found guilty, we will not show any tolerance. The ICC Code of Conduct is very clear regarding this matter,” he said.
Since the allegations were made, the ICC has been under fierce attack from critics who say it has failed to tackle corruption and illegal gambling in the sport. Pakistan players Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt have all written to the ICC saying they will defend themselves over disciplinary action brought against them over the claims, their lawyers confirmed this week.
Butt wants Indo-Pak cricket
Butt is also said to have asked for an early resumption of Indo-Pak cricket ties which were snapped off in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attack. “We want the resumption of Indo-Pak cricketing ties,” he said when queried.
Asked about his agenda of his meeting, Butt said he was here to congratulate Pawar on becoming the ICC president.
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