All three players involved in the Pakistan cricket spot-fixing scandal have been found guilty by the International Cricket Council tribunal after a six-day hearing in the Qatari city of Doha.

Former captain Salman Butt, 26, was handed a 10-year ban, half of which was suspended, Mohammad Asif, 28, was banned for seven years, two suspended, and 18-year-old Mohammad Amir was given a five-year ban.
   
The players were accused of spot-fixing in the fourth Test between Pakistan and England at Lord’s last August, but had always denied any wrongdoing.

All three can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) and Butt and Amir have already indicated that they will do so.

“We will appeal the ban once we get the judgement and study it. But we definitely want to clear our names from this ban,” Butt said following the hearing.

Amir said: “Today was the worst day of my life. Cricket has given me everything and it has been everything and if I don’t play it I have nothing. I left education to play cricket and I have nothing other than cricket.”

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt said the situation was “regrettable and a sad reality which must be faced.”

He added: “I now hope this unfortunate saga is put to rest and we can concentrate on cricket.”