Cricket: Mohammad Asif admits spot-fixing role

Disgraced Pakistan bowler Mohammad Asif has finally said “sorry” and admitted he was guilty of spot fixing on Pakistan’s tour to England in 2010.

Mohammad Asif: Admission. Picture: Getty

The 30-year-old, who denied wrongdoing despite serving a jail term in England for corruption and getting a five-year ban from the International Cricket Council, came clean yesterday over the deliberate bowling of no-balls.

“Today I admit what I did was wrong and I am ashamed for bringing disgrace to my family and my country. I apologise to the nation and the Pakistan Cricket Board,” Asif said.

The pace bowler, along with team-mates Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir was found guilty in court of corruption and were also banned from cricket by the ICC for spot fixing during the 2010 Lord’s Test. Amir and Butt had already admitted their involvement and agreed to undergo rehabilitation.

Asif said: “I feel sorry for what has happened. I don’t know what is going to happen now that I have admitted everything. But my conscience is clear now. I have gone through a lot in the last few years but I brought it upon myself and I deserved the punishment I got.”

Asif, who captured 106 wickets in 23 tests before his career was derailed, added: “I want to play a role now in at least warning the younger players of the pitfalls of corruption and fixing.”