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Disgraced Pak pacer Mohammad Asif released from UK prison | Disgraced Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif was released from Britain's Canterbury Prison on Thursday, after completing part of his one-year sentence for alleged spot-fixing during the 2010 Lord's Test match against England. Asif has been allowed by the
Home Office to remain in the UK to pursue his appeal against the spot-fixing convictions
and until his appeal is completed against his conviction, reports The News. Asif
will stay with his friend Muhammad Haroon, who is Britain 's first Asian level-4
cricket coach based in Peterborough . Asif's lawyer, Savita Sukul, convinced the
Home Office through competent representations that Asif should not be deported
to Pakistan and should be admitted to bail in his own right. Savita argued that
the former ICC top Ranking Test fast bowler is a man of international popularity
who should be allowed freedom and the authorities should have no fear of him absconding
or not attending the court. "There is nothing in his record that could indicate
that he will not abide by the court's directions. These representations persuaded
the Home Office to make a decision that Asif will be a free man once he leaves
the doors of the Canterbury prison," said Asif's Barrister Ravi Sukul. Ravi said
he will now perfect the grounds of appeal against the conviction under English
law. "I need to convince three Judges in the Court of Appeal that Asif's convictions
are unsafe. I can continue my efforts to do that now in a meaningful way, as I
will have Asif next to me, assisting me with several technical aspects of the
appeal. Hopefully the judges will allow the appeal and quash his convictions,"
he said. Ravi believed that certain procedures might not have been applied during
the trial to Asif's benefit, which could have persuaded the jury to come to a
different conclusion. It is the absence of those matters that has made me come
to the conclusion that this trial may have been a travesty of justice. The Court
of Appeal may hear evidence, which was not put before the jury, he said. Talking
about Asif’s reaction upon hearing the news that he has been granted bail, Ravi
said,"Asif was thankful. He has been in prison since November and the news that
he will be a free man and be with his friends is indeed pleasant news for him,
his family and his supporters."
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