Fixing scam cricketer is freed after serving half of his sentence.
ShamedPakistancricketer Mohammad Asif, one of three found guilty of match-fixing, has been released from prison after serving half of his 12-month sentence.
The 29-year-old was freed from Canterbury Prison inKentearlier this month.
The British Interior Ministry decided not to deport Asif, for the player decided to file an appeal against his conviction.
The cricketer’s counsel, Ravi Gill told reporters that an appeal to extend his clients visa had been made, since his visa had already expired, but they have not received an answer so far.
The former world number two Test bowler was jailed in November last year, along with team mates Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir.
The scam was uncovered by an undercover journalist from the defunct News of the World newspaper, who approached sports agent Mazhar Majeed, jailed also for his role in pretending to be a wealthy Indian businessman looking for players for an upcoming tournament.
The trio were sentenced and given five-year playing bans for bowling deliberate no balls in a Test match againstEnglandin 2010.
Both Asif and Butt have been imprisoned at theCanterburyprison, but Amir returned toPakistanin March after serving half of his sentence at a young offenders’ facility.
Amir, who is the youngest of the three, decided against appealing against the five-year ban, given by the ICC (International Cricket Council.)
Former team captain Butt was given a 30-month sentence and although he and his tainted team mates appealed against their sentences, they were all rejected by the Lord Chief Justice.
In February this year, the ICC tribunal banned Butt for 10 years, with the last five years suspended should no further offences occur.
The sporting organisation gave Asif a seven-year ban (the last two suspended, if further offence do not happen), while Mohammad Amir was given five years.
Asif’s lawyer told the media that his client’s case will be appealed, as well as the ICC’s banning decision.
Appeal documents have been gathered and the cricketer may stay with friends and family during his time inEngland.
In an interview, Asif’s father said his son had learnt his lesson and the game is full of crooks.
Hasan Asif originally wanted his son follow his footsteps in agriculture and animal breeding and had shown distain in his youngest child’s decision to carve a career in cricket.
He told the media, “I have enough land to cultivate and enough animals to make a good living, so why burn your skin in the sun when he had all the luxury to sit in the house and live like a prince? I still have the energy and will to work for my kids, but he never listened to me and is now paying the price.”
Hasan told reporters that he hopes that his son will return to the village.
“I am sure that he has learnt his lesson. I don’t have a passport, so I cannot go and meet him inEngland. But as time flies, I am sure this phase too will pass. I don’t know what crime he has done, but I know that he was not on the right track, not in the right profession.”
