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Mohammad Asif, the former Pakistan fast bowler, has publicly confessed to his part in spot-fixing during the Lord's Test
in 2010 and hopes to make amends in order to revive his international
career. He delivered an unconditional apology at the Karachi Press Club
on Wednesday, nearly three years after he was handed a seven-year ban
from participating in any form of cricket.
"I accept the punishment from the ICC tribunal in 2011," Asif said at a
press conference. "I apologise for my actions that have brought
disrespect to my beloved country, to the millions of fans in Pakistan
and in the world. When I look back at the events of my career, I feel
very sorry.
"I request all the players who want to represent their country that they
must keep away from all sorts of corruption," he added. "I am ready to
help any player who wants to avoid such pitfalls. I will duly cooperate
with the ICC, its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) and with the
PCB, in fighting corruption in the game."
In April, Asif and his former captain Salman Butt, who was handed a
five-year ban and another five years suspension from all cricket by the
ICC, lost their appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for the
suspensions to be reduced. Dave Richardson, the ICC's chief executive,
called on them to admit their wrongdoing and cooperate with the ICC's ACSU following which Butt had apologised in June.
Asif, who was found guilty of bowling a deliberate no-ball, will be 33
by the time the minimum of five years from his ban are complete and will
work through the final two years under suspension, on condition that he
commits no further breach of the Code of Conduct throughout that period
and participates in an anti-corruption education programme under the
Pakistan Cricket Board. The apology is not expected to have any
immediate implications but Asif will have to undergo rehabilitation and
present the whole truth to the ACSU and PCB.
"I also want to make myself available for the rehab program to be
conducted by the PCB through the support of the ICC," he said, "I have
suffered a lot because of my wrongdoings. Now on the Independence Day of
my country, I promise that once my ban finishes I will try to repair
the damage I have done. My family has also suffered so I want to start a
new life with a hope that all the fans of the game accept me."
"I also request the ICC to allow me to play first-class cricket so that
when my ban ends I am fit enough to represent my country."
Umar Farooq is ESPNcricinfo's Pakistan correspondent. He tweets here
Feeds: Umar Farooq
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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