Ponting joins match-fixing debate

Ponting does not want to see Pakistan banned (GETTY)

Australia captain Ricky Ponting says it would be unfair to ban Pakistan from international cricket amid the latest match-fixing scandal because that would damage the sport too much.

Pakistan test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer face charges from the International Cricket Council after a British tabloid newspaper sting implicated them in "spot-fixing" during a test against England.

The paper alleged the players were secretly paid to deliver no-balls at set times. Other results involving Pakistan have been questioned in the wake of the allegations.

Ponting tells Australia's Fox Sports news that "to ban a whole team would probably be a bit unfair" and "the world game ... can't really afford that to happen."