‘Lack of evidence may help Butt, Asif in spot-fixing case’

Lahore: Pakistani lawyer Aftab Gul, who represented Salman Butt in the ICC hearings in Dubai, believes that London’s Southwark Crown Court does not have enough evidence to give an adverse decision against the former Pakistan captain and fast bowler Mohammad Asif in the spot-fixing case.

“I don’t think these two players should get an adverse judgement from the court,” a daily quoted Gul, as saying. “The court does not have enough evidence to prove them guilty. In fact the footage of the defunct ‘News of the world’ is also inconclusive as these players are not seen receiving money from the alleged bookmaker and their agent, Mazhar Majeed,” he added. He further said that in the current circumstances any punishment to Butt and Asif would be unjust. Jurors participating in the trial will resume deliberating on Monday after failing to reach a verdict on last Friday. The 12-person jury will resume considering its verdict on whether Butt and Asif plotted to ensure the deliberate bowling of no-balls in the fourth Test against England in August last year. Butt and Asif deny conspiracy to cheat and conspiracy to accept corrupt payments. ANI