Pakistan's Mohammad Asif appeals to Cas over spot-fixing ban

Asif is serving a 12-month prison sentence for his part in spot-fixing

Pakistan's Mohammad Asif has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) against a ban imposed on him by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The seamer, 29, was banned for seven years, two of which were suspended, for his involvement in spot-fixing.

He and team-mates Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir were later jailed.

"It's a very substantial appeal," said a spokesman for Asif's law firm, SJS Solicitors.

"The documentation has been sent not only to the Cas; it's been sent to the ICC and to the Pakistan Cricket Board.

"These legal representations are highly professional and very serious."

An ICC spokesman said the game's governing body was not aware of the appeal.

As well as the ICC ban, Asif was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court to a year in jail for his part in bowling deliberate no-balls during the Lord's Test against England in 2010.

Butt was banned for 10 years - five suspended - by the ICC and imprisoned for 30 months, while Amir was banned for five years and sentenced to six months in jail.