Legendary all-rounder Imran Khan on Sunday said he felt "genuinely upset" at the lengthy bans given to three Pakistani cricketers for spot-fixing, but said punishments were necessary for the sake of the game in Pakistan.
An International Cricket Council (ICC) tribunal on Saturday banned former Pakistan captain Salman Butt for 10 years, with five years suspended, bowler Mohammad Asif for seven years, with two suspended, and teenage paceman Mohammad Aamer for five years.
"I am genuinely upset over the bans on three key, young and talented players," Khan told AFP, a day after the tribunal announced the sanctions.
"But once the players were proven guilty a punishment has to be given for the sake of cricket in general and for the sake of Pakistan cricket in particular."
The newspaper alleged the three had colluded in a spot-fixing betting scam organised by British-based agent Mazhar Majeed.
Khan, who led Pakistan to victory in the 1992 World Cup, said the loss of three key players would hurt Pakistan's chances in the upcoming tournament in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
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