JI slams Brit court verdict on 'spot fixing scandal' against Pak cricketers

Islamabad, Nov 4 (ANI): Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Munawar Hasan has slammed the British Court's verdict against Pakistani cricketers in the spot fixing scandal, saying that former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ejaz Butt was primarily to be blamed for this unfortunate development.

In a statement issued on Thursday, he said that conviction was quite expected after confession of players.

He, however, went on to say that the players might have been saved from imprisonment if the PCB would have realized its responsibility and taken appropriate steps at correct time.

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, were jailed by London's Southwark Crown Court yesterday for their involvement in a spot-fixing scam during the 2010 Lord's Test against England.

Butt has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail, Asif for a year, while Amir will be jailed for six months. (ANI)