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Imran Khan To Salman Butt; Prominent Cricketers Who Went To Jail



Prominent cricketers who went to jail [Source: @ImranKhanPTI/x]Prominent cricketers who went to jail [Source: @ImranKhanPTI/x]

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Cricketers are often revered as icons, especially in the subcontinent, where their feats inspire millions. However, some players have had their illustrious careers and legacies tainted by certain legal troubles, a few of which even leading to jail time.

Here, we take a look at five of the most prominent cricket players who have been in jail in some capacity for various reasons.

5. Mohammad Amir

Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir was sentenced to six months in jail, and he spent his time at the Feltham Young Offenders Institution in England. Aged just 18 at the time, the speedster was part of a spot-fixing scandal during Pakistan’s all-format tour of England between July and September 2010.

After serving his sentence, Amir made a roaring comeback into the Pakistan national team. He scored crucial runs in a virtual knockout game of the 2017 Champions Trophy, and also bowled his team to an emphatic victory over arch-rivals India in the final to lift the coveted silverware.

4. S Sreesanth

Former Indian fast bowler S Sreesanth was arrested on May 16, 2013 by Delhi police over match-fixing allegations in the IPL. At the time, the speedster was part of the Rajasthan Royals franchise and was accused of spot-fixing during the sixth edition of the Indian T20 tournament.

Apart from S Sreesanth, two of his Rajasthan Royals teammates, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan were also arrested by the Delhi police. Sreesanth, however, was acquitted in his spot-fixing case in mid-2015, and the two-time World Cup winning Indian cricketer is now a regular figure in several T20 competitions.


3. Suresh Raina

India’s World Cup winning cricketer and CSK legend Suresh Raina spent a few hours in jail back in December 2020. Apparently, Raina was one of the 34 people arrested by the police authorities in Mumbai for breaking several Covid-19 protocols. The cricketer was found partying alongside a few celebrities, leading to his arrest.

The incident occurred at the Mumbai Dragonfly club near the Mumbai airport. Apart from Suresh Raina, Indian singer Guru Randhawa and Bollywood celebrity Sussanne Khan among others were booked under Sections 188, 269 and 34 of IPC and provisions of the NMDA.

2. Salman Butt

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, who made his international debut in 2003 at an age of 19, received a 30-month jail sentence by a London Court for his major involvement in the 2010 Spot-Fixing Scandal in England. Pakistan skipper at the time, the cricketer was involved in the controversy alongside national teammates Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif.

While Butt received a 30-month sentencing, he was released after spending eight months in jail. Having played 135 international matches for Pakistan during his playing days, the 40-year-old was recently included in PCB’s selection panel but was removed upon facing massive backlash.

1. Imran Khan

Pakistan’s World Cup winning captain Imran Khan is currently in jail for a case involving corruption from his time as the Prime Minister of his country. On January 17, 2025; the cricketer-turned-politician was sentenced to 14 years in prison for the land graft case.

A Pakistani tribunal confirmed the same over the allegations of Imran Khan accepting a land from a property magnate in return for facilitating money laundering back in 2022. The former all-rounder was arrested in 2023 and he has since maintained his innocence, claiming that the charges were fabricated by political rivals.