Pakistan drop controversial trio
Thursday, 2 September 2010 10:35Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed has confirmed Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer will play no further part on the current tour of England.
The trio are at the centre of allegations of 'spot-fixing' over claims Asif and Aamer bowled no-balls during the fourth Test defeat to England and are currently in London assisting with a police investigation.
Saeed, speaking from Taunton where Pakistan play Somerset today, said: 'The T20 squad will remain what it is here this morning, ie 13 people.
'When we play the one-day internationals we will be asking for replacements to make the squad up to 16.
'The (three) players have not been suspended.'
Pakistan play two Twenty20 matches and five one-dayers against England over the coming weeks having lost the Test series 3-1.
Saeed would not disclose the exact reasons why the trio had been omitted.
'I can't give you the reasons for that, all I can say is that we are asking for replacements,' he said.
'I cannot answer anything on their behalf because investigations are being made by the ICC, Scotland Yard among others.'
Saeed insisted that despite the controversy, the most important thing now is the rest of the tour and the integrity of cricket.
'A lot of good guys have come and gone, the game must go on, cricket will be played at its best.'
