Pakistani cricketer Asif released from jail

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif was today released from a British jail after completing half of his one-year sentence for his role in a spot-fixing scandal.

Asif, 29, was set free from the Canterbury Prison in Southeast England this morning, his London-based law firm SJS Solicitors said.

Asif was jailed in November after Southwark Crown Court in London found him guilty of conspiring to cheat and accept corrupt payments over deliberate no-balls bowled during the Lord's Test against England in August 2010.

The fast bowler is still under ICC suspension and it is not known if he would challenge his seven year-ban (two years suspended).

His lawyer though had indicated yesterday that Asif will try to clear his name.

'I look forward to meeting him and helping him in his legal fight to restore the reputation he once had,' Asif's lawyer Ravi Sukul had said.

Then Pakistan Test skipper Salman Butt and talented young fast bowler Mohammad Aamir were also jailed on the same charges.

Aamir was released in February after three months in jail while Butt is still serving a 30-month sentence.

Agent of these players Mazhar Majeed, who was exposed through a sting operatiob by now defunct 'News of the World', was also handed a 32-month sentence.