Salman Butt, in Lahore, on Friday

Karachi: Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has for the first time publicly admitted that he indulged in spot-fixing during the Test series against England, in 2010, and has apologised to his fans for his act.

Butt, along with Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Aamer, were banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after it was proved that they were guilty of spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test.

In April, Butt and his former teammate Asif lost their appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for the suspensions to be reduced and Dave Richardson, ICC’s chief executive, called on them to admit their wrongdoing and cooperate with the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU).

“I admit the decision of the ICC tribunal,” Butt said in a brief statement on Friday. “I said it before and am saying again, that to all those who have been disappointed by my actions, I do apologise. Also, the [negative] effect it had on cricket’s integrity, I would like to apologise for that,” Butt said.

“I want to insist, to all those playing and wanting to play cricket, that they must stay away from such wrongdoing because it negatively affects them and the game of cricket,” he added.

Butt was handed out a five-year ban, with another five suspended, from all cricket by the ICC. He also served time in prison, in England.

Butt has also indicated that he is ready for any rehabilitation programme that the PCB chalks out for him and at least wants to play domestic cricket in Pakistan.

“I want to inform my availability for any rehab programme from the PCB and the ICC,” Butt said.

“Since I have only two years left of my ban, I request the ICC to allow me to play in domestic cricket. So by the time my ban ends, I can be available for national selection.”

There will probably be no immediate relief for Butt but. He will have to serve the five-year ban, compulsory under the ACSU code. The ICC and the PCB also expects him to come out with more details about the scandal.

Zaka Asraf, the currently suspended PCB chairman, had previously indicated that there could be a route back for Butt and Asif once their suspensions had been lifted.

Aamer had also served a custodial sentence in England. The PCB's interim chairman, Najam Sethi, said earlier in the week that he would request that the ICC consider reducing the suspensions.

While Aamer has age on his side as he is only 21, Butt is 28 and Asif 30.