Butt determined to return

(GETTY IMAGES)

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt insists his love for cricket has not diminished despite the player facing spot-fixing allegations which, if proved, could end his professional career.

Butt, along with fellow Pakistan internationals Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, have been charged under the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption code in relation to allegations of spot-fixing during the fourth Test against England at Lord's in August.

The three were provisionally suspended pending a hearing in Doha next month, and each man denies the allegations against him.

The ICC have insisted they will take a strong line against anyone found guilty of corruption in the game but Butt is hopeful his cricket career is not at an end.

Asked if he was worried he would never play at the top level again, Butt told Sky Sports News: "I would certainly not like to think like that.

"I still remain positive and I know what I'm made of and where I've come from, and how I've played my cricket. Believe me, it has been a lot of passion all throughout my life.

"The love of the game has got me there and that love is bigger than anything, any corrupt thing, which exists."

An independent tribunal will hear the cases of Butt, Asif and Amir in Doha between January 6 and 11.