REPRIEVE FOR PAK AS BUTT BAN LIFTED

BHUBANESWAR: Pakistan, lurching from one controversy to another at this World Cup, got a big reprieve ahead of their crucial final Pool D clash against Netherlands on Sunday after vice-captain Ammad Butt’s one-match suspension was reduced to a reprimand on appeal, making him available for the crucial game.

Butt was punished for rash play during a penalty corner in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against Malaysia, and the four-time former champions lodged an appeal the next day.

With skipper Muhammad Rizwan ruled out of the tournament after an ankle fracture suffered in the game, the reprieve will come as a big relief .

The Pakistan vice-captain was sanctioned for injuring a Malaysia player with a rash challenge while defending a penalty corner.

However, Butt treads thin ice. Should the midfielder receive a yellow card (suspension) in the remainder of the World Cup, the FIH technical delegate will have to immediately suspend him.

Besides Butt, assistant coach Danish Kaleem too escaped with a reprimand.

FIH had initiated an inquiry against him on Hockey India’s complaint for allegedly breaching security protocol. Pakistan has named Arslan Qadir as skipper in place of injured Rizwan.

THE PAKISTAN VICE-CAPTAIN WAS SANCTIONED FOR INJURING A MALAYSIA PLAYER WITH A RASH CHALLENGE