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Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif will have to earn professional cricket return

Image: Salman Butt will have to prove himself all over again

The Pakistan Cricket Board will not allow Salman Butt or Mohammad Asif back into domestic professional cricket before a thorough proving process.

Butt and Asif are eligible to return on September 2 after completing five-year bans for their part in a spot-fixing scandal.

They had hoped to get fit enough to play in Pakistan's domestic Twenty20 competition in December but the PCB has told Sky Sports News HQ that will not happen.

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif leaves Southwark Crown Court, London
Image: Mohammad Asif and Butt are due to return after five-year bans

Butt and Asif have been told they have to prove themselves in lower-grade regional cricket before being allowed back into the professional ranks.

They will also have to take part in an anti-corruption programme and have regular visits to a psychologist.

Image: Mohammad Amir closer to top-flight return

The other man banned as part of the scandal, Mohammad Amir, is expected to play top level cricket in Pakistan from December after pleading guilty to the charges and cooperating with the authorities.

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He Is already in full training and could return to regional cricket as soon as next month.

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