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Summary Family of Salman Butt regretted as former captain lost his appeal against jail term for spot-fixing.
Disgraced Pakistani cricketer appeal, along with that of fast bowler Mohammad Aamer, was dismissed at a hearing in London, with the top judge saying the players had betrayed their country and their notorious case merited a criminal sanction.On November 3, Butt, 27, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison and promising fast bowler Mohammad Aamer, 19, was ordered to serve six months in a young offenders institution.In a scandal that shook the sport, the pair, along with their team-mate Mohammad Asif and their agent Mazhar Majeed were imprisoned for their roles in fixing parts of Lords Test against England last year. Butts father Zulfiqar said he had hoped for judicial relief.I have just heard about the appeals rejection, he told AFP. We thought that some leniency would be granted but the rejection of appeal is disappointing and now we see no way of getting any relief.Butts lawyer Ali Bajwa had argued that the former captains sentence was out of proportion to the seriousness of the offence that was committed.Bajwa described Butt as a broken man in a state of ruin and disgrace, adding that the very fact of conviction and imprisonment amounted to exceptional punishment for him.His wife gave birth to a baby boy just 30 minutes before the trial verdict.Aamers lawyer Henry Blaxland had urged the judges to impose a suspended sentence of a length that would enable his immediate release.Zulfiqar said he hopes to visit his son at the earliest opportunity, but added that it was difficult arranging all travel documents so quickly.He said he had spoken to his son just once since the sentencing.Its difficult to get through to him, but we have talked just once and the time was barely enough to discuss how he is doing, Zulfiqar said of the phone conservation last week.Aamers mentor Asif Bajwa also said he was disappointed with the appeals rejection.I expected that something better to come out for him, but it has been disappointing throughout. A whole year has passed in dejection and emotional set back, he told AFP.I am waiting for the day when he returns home and revives his career.
