Pakistan's Mohammad Asif withdraws ICC ban challenge
Mohammad Asif
Asif was alleged to have sent down no-balls at pre-arranged times
Pakistan pace bowler Mohammad Asif has withdrawn his appeal against the provisional suspension handed to him by the International Cricket Council.
Asif, fellow seamer Mohammad Amir and batsman Salman Butt were suspended following spot-fixing allegations made during Pakistan's tour of England.
Butt and Amir's appeals will be heard in Dubai on 30 and 31 October.
The trio are not involved in Pakistan's upcoming series against South Africa in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
However, Asif could not have played in that series in any event as he is banned from entering the United Arab Emirates after being detained for possession of opium at Dubai airport in 2008.
Amir, Asif and Butt were questioned by British police after the News of the World newspaper's allegations of spot-fixing came to light during the final Test against England at Lord's.
It was claimed that the two pace bowlers had deliberately bowled no balls to order at pre-arranged times during the Test, with skipper Butt also said to be involved, in return for money from a bookmaker's "middle man".
Fellow seamer Wahab Riaz was also questioned by police, whose investigation - separate from the ICC anti-corruption and security unit's own investigation - remains ongoing, although no criminal charges have yet been brought.
The ICC's latest statement confirmed that Asif's appeal had been withdrawn, without citing any reasons, and made no further comment.
chris brown news
Law Enforcement Uniform
Subject: Pakistan's Mohammad Asif withdraws ICC ban challenge 
Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:33 pm
