Officials from ICC’s anti-corruption and security unit spent last afternoon at Scotland Yard in London reviewing evidence before announcing the decision.
“We will not tolerate corruption in cricket – simple as that. We must be decisive with such matters and, if proven, these offences carry serious penalties up to a life ban,” said ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat.
Earlier in the day, Pakistani high commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan said the three cricketers were set up, stressing it was not clear if the video in which an agent gave precise indications of three “no-balls” delivered by Aamer and Asif during the fourth Test match against England was recorded before the game.
Hasan also revealed the three players would not take part in the rest of Pakistan’s tour of England due to the mental torture they were suffering and not to pressure from the ICC or the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Butt, Aamer and Asif will be quizzed by the Scotland Yard under caution today.
