The year 2011 remains one of the most controversial chapters in international cricket. It was the moment when the sport was forced to confront an uncomfortable truth—corruption had reached the sacred turf of Lord’s Cricket Ground. What began as suspicious no-balls during a Test match soon turned into one of the biggest spot-fixing scandals in cricket history, involving three prominent Pakistani players.
The case revolved around Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, and Mohammad Amir, who were found guilty of deliberately bowling no-balls during the 2010 Lord’s Test against England. An extensive investigation by the International Cricket Council (ICC) revealed that these actions were not accidental but part of a pre-arranged fixing plan.
ICC Tribunal and Heavy Bans
After months of inquiry, an ICC tribunal concluded that all three players were guilty of spot-fixing. The verdict sent shockwaves across the cricketing world, particularly in Pakistan, where the players were considered key assets of the national team.
The punishments were severe. Salman Butt, the then captain, was handed a 10-year ban, Mohammad Asif received a 7-year suspension, and Mohammad Amir, the youngest of the three, was banned for 5 years. Portions of Butt’s and Asif’s bans were suspended, but the damage to their careers was already irreversible. The incident not only tarnished individual reputations but also raised serious questions about integrity in the sport.
Criminal Trial and Prison Sentences
The consequences did not end with cricketing sanctions. In November 2011, a London court delivered a landmark judgment that further deepened the scandal. All three players were found guilty of conspiracy to cheat and conspiracy to accept corrupt payments.
The court sentenced Salman Butt to two and a half years in prison, Mohammad Asif to one year, and Mohammad Amir to six months. Along with them, Mazhar Majeed, the players’ agent and the central figure who facilitated the fixing, was sentenced to two years and eight months in jail. Majeed had been caught on tape discussing the exact moments when no-balls would be bowled, which became crucial evidence in the case.
Life After Jail and Continued Struggles
At the time of conviction, Mohammad Amir was still a teenager, making his fall from grace even more tragic. Due to his age, he served his sentence at the Portland Young Offenders Institution. He was released in early 2012 after serving around three months, but his ban from cricket remained intact.
Even after their release, the three players faced immense public scrutiny and professional uncertainty. Pakistani cricket went through one of its darkest phases, losing three international-level players simultaneously. Trust in the team took years to rebuild, both at home and abroad.
Mohammad Amir’s Road Back to Cricket
In January 2015, Mohammad Amir received a partial relief when the ICC allowed him to return to domestic cricket eight months before the completion of his ban. He began playing Grade II cricket for a Karachi-based team, marking the first step in his long road to redemption.
Amir’s discipline and performance eventually earned him a return to the Pakistan national team, exactly one year after his ban officially ended. His comeback became one of the most debated stories in cricket—praised by some as a second chance, criticized by others as a compromise on ethics.
What Happened to Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif
Unlike Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif struggled to regain their footing. Despite appealing against their punishments, neither received early relief. While they eventually returned to domestic cricket, their international careers never truly recovered. Selection doors remained largely closed, and public perception continued to haunt them.
A Lasting Lesson for the Sport
The Lord’s spot-fixing scandal served as a harsh reminder of how quickly poor choices can destroy promising careers. It reinforced the importance of strict anti-corruption measures and sent a clear message that no player, regardless of talent or status, is above the game’s integrity.
Even years later, the incident is remembered as a turning point—one that reshaped cricket’s approach to corruption and left an enduring lesson for future generations.
