KARACHI, Pakistan (AFP) — Former Pakistan cricketers and officials voiced mixed reactions yesterday after the ICC rejected the appeals of Salman Butt and Mohammad Aamer against suspensions over spot-fixing claims.

The International Cricket Council code of conduct commissioner heard appeals on Saturday and yesterday before announcing the verdict.

Former Pakistan captain Asif Iqbal said the decision was no surprise.

“It may be disappointing, but it was expected because the ICC upholding the suspension proves that they have enough evidence against the players to levy those sanctions,” Iqbal told AFP.

“Suspension is not a punishment. The ICC suspended the players because Pakistan cricket authorities did not withdraw them after the allegations were levelled, so now the players have a case to answer before the commission,” he said.

Salman, Aamer and Mohammad Asif were suspended in September after claims of spot-fixing during the team’s tour of England. All three appealed, but Asif later withdrew his application.

Iqbal added that he felt sympathy for 18-year-old Aamer.

“I do feel for all the Pakistan players, especially Aamer, but I would blame the Pakistan Cricket Board for lack of grooming of these players.

“The only way Asif and Aamer can get leniency is if they say they did it on the orders of their Test captain (Salman).”

Former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Tauqir Zia also said the dismissal of the appeals was probably justified.

“The decision was expected because ICC would not have suspended these players for so long without any basis,” said Zia, who was PCB chairman from 1999 to 2003.

However, former Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir said be believed the ICC was guilty of discrimination.

“Pakistani players have been targeted by the ICC,” Qadir said.

“India’s Suresh Raina has also been alleged to have been in contact with bookmakers, but that case was not taken up.”

A spokesman for the PCB said it would not comment on the decision.

Scotland Yard interrogated Salman, Aamer and Asif before including paceman Wahab Riaz in investigations into the spot-fixing claims, but has yet to formally charge the players.