ICC probe television deal for banned Butt

The International Cricket Council is investigating whether Salman Butt has breached the terms of his suspension by agreeing to work for a television channel during the World Cup.

The former Pakistan captain was banned for ten years, with five suspended, by an ICC anti-corruption tribunal two weeks ago after being found guilty of spot-fixing.

However, Butt has signed up to appear as a pundit on Channel 5, a Pakistani TV channel with no links to the ICC, for the forthcoming tournament. The ICC executive board chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: "We are not satisfied with this appointment and we have written to tribunal chairman Michael Beloff QC to enquire whether this could be viewed as a breach against the terms of his suspended sentence."

The board also confirmed it will not appeal against the sanctions handed down to Butt and his team-mates Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, who were banned for seven years - with two suspended - and five years, respectively.