Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir refused an offer to become an approver in the spot fixing scandal against teammates Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif, according to Associated Press of Pakistan

Amir was time and again offered to become an approver to avoid punishment, but he rejected the offers and stood by Salman and Asif, said Pakistan Cricket Board sources yesterday. "At one stage, he was assured that if he agrees to be an approver, he can be a part of Pakistan's squad for the World Cup, but he turned them down and suffered the punishment of a five-year ban by an International Cricket Council tribunal probing into spot fixing allegations," said sources.

Sources said Amir made a sacrifice by refusing to speak against his two teammates. By doing so, Salman and Asif would have faced more punishment while he would have escaped unscathed.