'Banned' Asif owns up to 2010 spot fixing guilt on heels of Butt, Aamer

Banned Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Asif has admitted for the first time that he is guilty of spot-fixing in 2010 and has accepted a five-year ban, while apologising for his role in the scandal.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Asif is the last of three players to confess their guilt following his teammates Salman Butt and Mohammad Aamer admitting their part and presenting themselves for rehabilitation.

The report further said that Asif, pace partner Aamer and then-captain Butt were banned by an anti-corruption tribunal of the ICC for contriving deliberate no-balls in return for money during the Lord's Test against England in 2010.

The report added that the tribunal had made confession, apology and rehabilitation mandatory for the players to avoid the suspended portion of the ban

Accepting the ICC punishment, Asif apologised for his actions, saying that they have brought disrespect to his country, to his fans and in the world, and requested other players representing different countries to keep away from all sorts of corruption.

According to Asif, he is ready to help any player who wants to avoid such pitfalls and will cooperate with the ICC, its anti-corruption unit and with the PCB in fighting the corruption in the game, adding that he will try to repair the damage done once his ban period is over as he has suffered a lot because of his wrongdoings.

However, the report said that Asif, who was once touted as the best new-ball bowler in the world by legendary Pakistani paceman Imran Khan, is no stranger to scandal with his career first being derailed in 2006 when he and fellow paceman Shoaib Akhtar tested positive for banned steroids.

The report further said that another failed dope test in the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008 resulted in a one-year ban for Asif, and he was also detained at the Dubai airport on return from the 2008 IPL after a banned drug was found in his possession.

Before the ban, Asif had taken 106 wickets in 23 Tests and was widely regarded as one of the most skilful new-ball bowlers in the game, the report added.