An editorial in a leading Pakistani newspaper reckons that authorities handling the 'spot-fixing' scandal in England are favouring a lot of 'misguided patriotism'.

According to the editorial in Dawn, Pakistanis were being made to believe that Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were set up in a conspiracy designed to malign the nation.

"Pakistan's high commissioner to the UK personally gave the trio a clean slate on remarkably dodgy grounds: he had spoken to them and they said they were innocent. They might well be, but let's reserve our verdict for the time being," the editorial said.

It further said that suspending the trio was the right decision, and stressed that the move would benefit Pakistan cricket.

"The intent here is not to pass judgment. Salman Butt, Asif and Amir have only been charged with spot-fixing and remain innocent until they are proven guilty, even if the evidence at hand seems damning," the editorial said.

"At the same time, however, it should be remembered that they are accused of serious crimes and their innocence cannot be taken for granted," it added. (ANI)