Salman Butt's family devastated after ban

The family of deposed Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt is devastated

The family of deposed Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt is devastated. "We didn't expect such a harsh punishment to my son," his father, Zulfiqar Butt said from Lahore yesterday. "We wanted verdict to be deferred for a few months till the case was heard in UK courts.

Salman Butt. Pic/Getty Images

"The family members were constantly reading our holy book, Quran for the last few days. We had also invited a few moulivees (Muslim priests) to read the Quran at home and in masjids. Sadly, our prayers have not been heard," the senior Butt said.

Further action
"We shall discuss with our lawyers and decide our further line of action (whether to appeal in the Court
of Arbitration for Sport)," he added.

Butt, who returned home yesterday, has been banned for 10 years while Mohd Asif for seven years and Mohd Amir for five years.

Assuming that they also lose their battle (if they appeal) in court, the earliest the Pakistani tainted trio can return to international cricket will be after four-and-a-half years (in September 2015) since their suspension period started last September.