Sports

Players’ lawyers oppose early verdict

The lawyers have asked tribunal not to rush with announcement, come up with proper reasoning before giving verdict.

Fawad Hussain January 10, 2011

KARACHI: The gruelling six-day hearing in the spot-fixing case, featuring three Pakistan players, will conclude today with closing statements by the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) legal team and the players’ lawyers.

On the penultimate day of prosecution, fast-bowler Mohammad Asif completed his examination after questioning by the ICC’s lawyers and the independent tribunal.

Asif, according to an official close to the hearing, was mainly questioned on the no-ball that was allegedly delivered on the orders of Mazhar Majeed during the Lord’s Test. The fast-bowler maintained his innocence and told the tribunal that the delivery was not intentional and came as a result of attempting to generate increased pace after being asked by his captain Salman Butt.

The ICC’s lawyer Jonathan Taylor started the closing argument after the cross-examination with Asif before the end of the fifth day’s proceedings.

“The ICC’s legal team would start the final day of the hearing by summing up their case following which the players’ lawyers would give their closing statements that would bring the hearing to an end,” said the official.

Meanwhile, the tribunal chief Michael Beloff has invited members of the media this morning to brief them. Chances of Beloff announcing the verdict are slim but cannot be ruled out.

Tribunal urged to delay verdict

The official added that the lawyers of Salman (Yaseen Patel) and Mohammad Amir (Shahid Karim) pleaded to the tribunal to delay the verdict instead of passing it immediately after the hearing.

“The lawyers have asked the tribunal not to rush with the announcement and come up with proper reasoning before giving their verdict,” said the official.

Meanwhile, according to a British television channel, the ICC lawyers also handed phone records obtained during the investigation by the Scotland Yard to the tribunal, following objections regarding the timing of the scandal which broke after the no-balls were delivered.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (4)

arif jamal | 14 years ago | Reply Verdict or conspiracy! conspiracy to ban fast bowler duo from taking part in forthcoming world cup and clear the way for India to get hold of world cup winning trophy.India does not see a strong Pakistani contingent in world cup. People like Malik, Akmal and Kaneria are appeared to be out of world cup on the basis of mere speculation. what about IPL? What about Suresh Raina? Has anybody ever asked the question about the kind of money involve in buying the players for IPL? In the whole episode,where was Mazher Majeed? ICC should have summoned him to get testified before the lawyer of players. No body will accept the lame excuse of ICC that the summon of Mazher Majeed and representative of News of the world were the out of its jurisdiction. If you are going to make justice then players should be given every opportunity to defend themselves. otherwise it will be considered a unilateral decision against Pakistani players under the implication of some cricketing nations Mafia. India has invested the huge money to appease the boards of cricketing nations and ICC as well to shut their mouth against the injustices to Pakistani players.

shaukat ali | 14 years ago | Reply My city is doha, Qatar

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shaukat ali | 14 years ago | Reply I really want to see Mohammad Aamir back............ Salman Butt has admitted that he asked Mohammad Amir to bowl a No ball and Waqar Younis also confirmed to ICC that when he asked aamir about the no ball in dressing room, salman butt replied that he asked him to bowl the no ball. If captain of the team is asking a 18 years old new member of the team for something he will obviously follow the instruction. If this is true, mohammad aamir should get a benefit of doubt and should be allowed to play for Pakistan. you can not ruine whole career of such a talented player just because he bowled a no ball under the instruction of his Captain. he did not fix the match, instead in the same match he captured 6 wickets in second inning. In addition, if captain admitted that he asked him to bowl that no ball then it is proved that he was also not involved in spot fixing. he should get a benefit of doubt and shall be allowed to play.

M.kh | 14 years ago | Reply Delay the verdict? Now it is even more confirmed what these 3 were upto. It will be a slap on the cricket loving fan if any of these are let scottfree. How can anyone bowl a no ball for generating extra pace exactly at the time it was required by the bookies? Shame! guys have filled their pockets and jackets with dirty money. Please Ban them and do a favour to this game of gentlemen.

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