The lawyer representing Salman Butt says the former Pakistan captain will not appear at a British court hearing into accusations of spot-fixing.
Yasin Patel told AP in an email on Thursday that Southwark Crown Court “has excused (Butt’s) attendance” at Friday’s hearing.
The other two cricketers — Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir — will appear.
The International Cricket Council has banned the trio for a minimum period of five years for spot-fixing during Pakistan's tour to England last year.
The three cricketers and businessman Mazhar Majeed are facing criminal charges for accepting corrupt payments. Majeed is accused of accepting 150,000 pounds ($242,000) during a sting by undercover newspaper reporters to arrange for the players to bowl no-balls.
