The 2010 Spot-Fixing Scandal: Pakistan's Lord's Betrayal
In 2010, Pakistan players Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt deliberately bowled no-balls at pre-agreed times during the Lord's Test against England — a News of the World sting that resulted in criminal convictions.
In August 2010, during Pakistan's Test match against England at Lord's, the News of the World tabloid newspaper revealed it had exposed a spot-fixing operation involving Pakistan players. The newspaper had set up a sting operation through agent Mazhar Majeed, paying him £150,000 in exchange for pre-arranging specific illegal no-balls at set moments during the Test. Fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif deliberately overstepped at prearranged deliveries, and captain Salman Butt was implicated in organising the scheme. The deliveries were exactly as promised — proving deliberate acts.
Criminal Convictions
The spot-fixing scandal was unique in that it resulted in criminal convictions — not just cricket bans. In November 2011, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and agent Mazhar Majeed were convicted at Southwark Crown Court in London of conspiracy to obtain corrupt payments. Butt received 30 months in prison, Asif 12 months, Amir 6 months, and Majeed 32 months. All three players received ICC bans: Butt for ten years (five suspended), Asif for seven years (two suspended), and Amir for five years.
Mohammad Amir's Comeback
Mohammad Amir's case generated the most sympathy — he was 18 at the time and served his ban, completing his jail sentence and the ICC suspension. He was readmitted to Pakistan cricket in 2015 and returned to international cricket, taking wickets at the highest level. His story became one of cricket's most debated rehabilitation cases — whether a young player who committed a serious offence deserved a second chance was argued extensively in cricket media. His performances on return suggested genuine talent that the fixing episode had interrupted.
Frequently asked questions
What was the 2010 Pakistan spot-fixing scandal?
Pakistan players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir deliberately bowled no-balls at pre-arranged moments during the Lord's Test in 2010, arranged by agent Mazhar Majeed in a News of the World sting. All three received ICC bans and criminal prison sentences.
Did Mohammad Amir return to cricket after his ban?
Yes. Amir served his five-year ICC ban and six-month prison sentence, then returned to international cricket for Pakistan in 2015. He took wickets at the highest level and played in ICC tournaments, making him cricket's most prominent rehabilitation case.
What were the ICC bans for the 2010 spot-fixing players?
Salman Butt received a ten-year ban (five suspended), Mohammad Asif a seven-year ban (two suspended), and Mohammad Amir a five-year ban. All three also received criminal convictions in UK courts.