Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan does not believe any player involved in ’spot-fixing’ should receive a life ban.

Captain Salman Butt and seam bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer will tomorrow attend a Pakistan Cricket Board inquiry at the Pakistan High Commission in London, after newspaper reports alleged they were involved in a plot to bowl no-balls to order in the Lord’s Test against England last week.

Khan, who earlier called for harsh punishment on players who are found guilty:  “I think the ICC is going to take its own decision. But in my opinion the message should go that the crime does not pay.

“For spot-fixing, bowling a no-ball they should suffer heavy on their pocket and be imposed a heavy fine than a life ban. It really should set an example and fine should be huge.”

Several big names in the game of cricket, including former International Cricket Council chief executive Malcolm Speed, have suggested banning Pakistan.

But Khan does not think the entire nation should have to suffer if the players are found guilty.

“It’s a crime and the criminal should be punished but the game of cricket must go on,” the former all-rounder said.

“You can’t allow Pakistan cricket to suffer for these guys. The anger and demoralisation in Pakistan is far more than in any other country.”

Khan also lashed out at the Pakistan Cricket Board for not conducting a thorough investigation of the match-fixing controversy arising from the 1993-94 tour of New Zealand.

He said: “I had captained for 10 years and left in 1992. We heard about match-fixing for the first time in 1993. I remember there was an inquiry about match-fixing and I remember approaching the inquiry.

“I think there was an experience in it. If they had followed that inquiry right to the root of the problem and they had ensured to go against anyone behind this incident we would have not been in this situation today.”