HYDERABAD (Staff Report) – After five years and a half Pakistani trio, Muhammad Asif, Salman Butt and Muhammad Amir, have returned to cricket grounds ending the unfortunate era of Pakistani cricket which started in 2010 when they were caught involved in notorious match fixing scandal.
Former skipper Salman Butt hammered a century off 108 balls while representing WAPDA against FATA in domestic ODI game, while Muhammad Amir left for New Zealand for ODI and T20 series on Sunday. Muhammad Asif was also seen in action for WAPDA at National ODI Championship, which is considered country’s leading domestic ODI event.
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Speaking on the occasion Salman Butt and Muhammad Asif both extended their hopes that soon they will also return to international cricket like Muhammad Amir. Last five years were the toughest of our lives and we thank to Allah who gave a second, they said.
“It is like another birth for me, but I am happy for being back in the field once again, Salman Butt said just ahead of starting his first innings since 2010.
Earlier the trio was included in Pakistan’s first-class test tournament Qauid-e-Azam Trophy but Muhammad Asif and Salman Butt were not included in the playing eleven even for a single game. Muhammad Amir however played several games at the tournament.
Upon completion of their five-year ban the International Cricket Council (ICC) had allowed the three cricketers to play the domestic and international cricket in September 2015.
