PCB gives clean chit to Butt to play in Bangladesh

Former skipper Salman Butt has received a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to play in the latest edition of the Dhaka Premier League, a popular Bangladesh's domestic List-A tournament.

PCB cleared Butt of any involvement in the dubious activities in Ajman All Stars tournament, the privately organized T20 tournament which took place in United Arab Emirates in January.

He has been signed for the entire season by local giants Mohammedan Sporting Club, which will be led by Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.

Former Pakistan skipper expressed his happiness of playing for Bangladesh's top sporting club and appreciated the way Bangladesh Cricket has evolved over the years.

"It's good to be here after a long time, Bangladesh over the years has become a high quality cricket-playing country. They have lifted their game and proven that again and again, and this all comes with a competitive domestic structure, ESPNcricinfo quoted Butt, as saying.

He added, "Mohammedan is a club with a lot of history behind it, with a lot of Pakistani greats having played for them in past, and I hope be able to contribute well for them. Shakib [Al Hasan] will be leading the team and I believe it would make a difference in the season."

Last month, unsanctioned T20 Ajman All Stars tournament came under the scanner of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption unit. The privately organised T20 tournament did not receive any approval by either the ICC or Emirates Cricket Board (ECB).

It was only after video clips of bizarre dismissals went viral in cricket world that the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) started taking some interest and initiated an investigation into the T20 league.

The first phase of Dhaka Premier League will run from February 5 to March 20.