Butt claims he was 'under pressure' to pardon Malik

Islamabad, May 25(ANI): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt has revealed that he was under pressure to pardon all-rounder Shoaib Malik, but he thwarted the efforts as it would be unjust to differentiate between players.

"All the players are equal to me and I cannot pardon anyone as it is equal to doing injustice to others. The matter is already with the appellate panel and the decision on the matter would be taken on the recommendations of the Justice (r) Irefab Qadir," The News quoted Butt, as saying.

The PCB Chairman refused to name the quarters behind the issue, but speculations are rife that a Member of National Assembly from Sialkot, who attended Shoaib's wedding, was behind the move.

Butt was addressing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Sports meeting, which was held under the chairmanship of Iqbal Mohammad Khan.

In its recommendations, the standing committee asked the PCB to reconsider the bans and fines on the players in the greater interest of the game. (ANI)