The ICC code of conduct commissioner heard appeals on Saturday and Sunday before announcing the verdict that the earlier decision would withstand pending a full hearing that will take place at a later date.
Former Pakistan captain Asif Iqbal said the decision was no surprise.
“It may be disappointing, but it was expected because the ICC upholding the suspension proves that they have enough evidence against the players to levy those sanctions,” said Iqbal. “A suspension is not a punishment. The ICC suspended the players because Pakistan cricket authorities did not withdraw them after the allegations were levelled. So now the players have a case to answer before the commission.”
The trio were suspended in September after claims of spot-fixing during the team’s tour of England. All three appealed, but Asif later withdrew his application.
Iqbal added that he felt sympathy for 18-year-old Amir.
“I do feel for all the Pakistan players, especially Amir, but I would blame the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the lack of grooming of these players. The only way Asif and Amir can get leniency is if they say they did it on the orders of their Test captain [Salman].”
Former PCB chairman Tauqir Zia also said the dismissal of the appeals was probably justified.
“The decision was expected because the ICC would not have suspended these players for so long without any basis,” said Zia, who was the PCB chief from 1999 to 2003.
However, former Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir said he believed the ICC was guilty of discrimination.
“Pakistani players have been targeted by the ICC,” said Qadir. “India’s Suresh Raina has also been alleged to have been in contact with bookmakers, but that case was not taken up.”
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the PCB said it would not comment on the decision.
Scotland Yard interrogated Salman, Amir and Asif before including paceman Wahab Riaz in investigations into the spot-fixing claims, but has yet to formally charge the players. It has forwarded the case however, to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Abdul Qadir
“Pakistani players have been targeted by the ICC. India’s Suresh Raina has also been alleged to have been in contact with bookmakers, but that case was not taken up.”
Asif Iqbal
“I do feel for all the Pakistan players, especially Mohammad Amir, but I would blame the Pakistan Cricket Board for the lack of grooming of these players.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2010.
COMMENTS (1)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ