Long road back into cricket for Asif, Butt
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will roll out a rehabilitation programme for Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif as they make their return to cricket after a five-year ban for being involved in spot-fixing.
Both players will be eligible to start playing competitively from 2 September after the PCB accepted the ICC's decision to lift the ban.
The duo will not immediately be available in first-class cricket as the PCB want them to start at the bottom and work their way through the ranks. It is the same path that was taken by Mohammad Amir when he was allowed to play earlier this year.
The PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan told ESPNcricinfo:"ICC requires us to put these boys under a programme in which they address the players and lecture them on anti-corruption.
"They should tell the players at all levels about their misconduct and the disgrace they brought into cricket. Meanwhile, we are allowing them to play club cricket and grade 2 cricket, the same policy we adopted with Amir.
"They also have to see psychologist, and by playing grade 2 cricket have to prove their ability and fitness. They can't assume they will pick up where they left off five years ago. After all, they haven't played cricket for last five years.
"We have to see many factors, including how age has affected them. At the moment they cannot walk back into contention for top cricket, they have to prove their ability to make their way into first-class cricket."
Latest
-
NewsEngland’s tour of Pakistan is off
Suggested dates would have clashed with scheduled matches against Sri Lanka and India.
-
NewsCSA interim board officially appointed
A new interim board has been appointed to take charge of Cricket South Africa.
-
NewsPujara could be India’s key batsman – McGrath
Glenn McGrath believes Cheteshwar Pujara could be India’s key man during the upcoming Test series in Australia.
-
NewsCalls for inquiry into the ECB’s lack of BAME umpires
John Holder said he suspects there has been a “definite policy of only employing whites” for positions on the First Class Umpires Panel.
-
-
NewsMental health a priority for England on tour
Englands’ players will remain in biosecure bubbles while playing T20 and ODI matches in Cape Town and Paarl.
-
NewsJos Buttler says England players will have support at hand during tour bubble
The vice-captain is confident the ECB will look after the players’ mental well-being during the South Africa trip.
-
NewsOn this day in 2013: Sachin Tendulkar begins his 200th and final Test match
The 40-year-old had set many batting records since making his debut for India in November 1989.
-
NewsAzeem Rafiq reveals details of racist abuse he says occurred when with Yorkshire
The White Rose county has released a statement saying it takes the claims ‘very seriously’.
-
NewsRahul Dravid calls for Indian Premier League expansion
Rahul Dravid wants a ninth team added to the Indian Premier League.