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Tuesday, December 17, 2024  
14 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1446  

Spot-fixing Update: Mohammad Asif released

Former Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Asif was released from the Canterbury Prison in Britain today, after carrying out his one-year sentence for assumed spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test match against England in 2010.

Savita Sukul of the SJS Solicitors - Asif's lawyer responsible of his immigration issues and his plea against the International Cricket Council (ICC) ban - prospered in finally convincing the Home Office through proficient representations on Tuesday afternoon that Asif should not be deported to Pakistan and should be admitted to bail in his own right.

It is reported that Muhammad Asif has been permitted by the Home Office to stay in the UK not only to follow his appeal against the spot-fixing convictions but as a upshot of his lawful rights to live in the UK until his appeal is completed against his conviction as those convictions are not concluding until they have been authorized by the highest court in the land.

Asif’s Barrister Ravi Sukul, who is managing the conviction appeal, stated in an interview, "In a matter of hours, Asif will bed released and I am proud to say that. His release from the Canterbury Prison is imminent. We look forward to seeing him. He will assist us with his fight to restore what was once a brilliant reputation that he had."

It can also be revealed that Asif will stay with his friend Muhammad Haroon, Asif's friend and Britain's first Asian level-4 cricket coach who is based in Peterborough.

Ravi said “Asif is the kind of man who bowls no ball more frequently than other pace bowlers because of the type of bowler that he is. This is a mathematical verity. He was expected to bowl two no balls at Lords on mathematics principles, which is exactly what he did.”

“There is other substantiation that could be admitted which explain the full dynamics of fast bowling, and the legitimate reasons why a bowler would innocently overstep the bowling crease.”

Upon hearing the news that he has been approved bail in the UK, said Ravi, some impression of natural emotion came to Asif. "He was thankful. He has been in prison since November and was expected to be put in the Home office custody and the news that he will be a free man to walk the streets and be with his friends is indeed a pleasant news for him, his family and his supporters to whom he expressed his thanks."