Verdict delayed until Feb 5

Tribunal to announce spot-fixing judgement at the same venue next month.

KARACHI: The tainted Pakistani trio comprising former captain Salman Butt and fast-bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir would have to wait another month to know their fate as the International Cricket Council (ICC) appointed tribunal delayed announcing its verdict in the spot-fixing case after a six-day hearing that concluded in Doha yesterday.

The tribunal chief Michael Beloff told a media conference after the final day’s hearing that the verdict has been reserved and would be announced on February 5 when a one-day hearing takes place.

Beloff, who is also the head of ICC’s Anti Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), added that the trio would remain suspended from all forms of cricket until the verdict is delivered next month.

The trio was provisionally suspended last September following a sting operation by The News of The World during Pakistan’s tour of England

Meanwhile, on the final day of hearing the ICC lawyer Jonathan Taylor cited various examples of corruption in other sports including tennis in his closing argument.

Asif’s lawyer opposed delay

The Express Tribune has learnt that Asif’s lawyer, Barrister Cameron, initially opposed the request by the other two players to postpone the verdict. However, following talks among the lawyers, Cameron agreed on the stance taken by the other two.

Amir’s lawyer satisfied

Fast-bowler Amir’s lawyer Shahid Karim expressed his satisfaction on the proceedings of the six-day hearing saying all the stakeholders were given ample chance to give their version.

“The lawyers were given a proper chance to put their case and I’m hopeful the verdict will go in my client’s favour,” Karim told a television channel.

‘Delay to avoid successful challenge with CAS’

The tribunal, according to information made available to The Express Tribune, deferred the verdict for a number of reasons with the foremost being maintaining its own integrity in the event of another appeal.

“The lawyers have asked for a delayed verdict but the tribunal decided to postpone the verdict for a month in its own interest,” said an official close to the hearing.

“A lot of documentations and records came under scrutiny during the hearing and the tribunal wants to do proper homework before announcing their decision.

“The panel is well aware that the players, in the event of a ban, would challenge it in the Court of Arbitration for Sports [CAS] so they need time to cover loopholes, if any, to avoid the CAS’ decision going against them.”

Salman under Oval scrutiny

The ICC cleared the fast-bowlers of any charges relating to the Oval Test with the captain still under the scrutiny for the match Pakistan won.

The ICC had earlier charged the trio under various offences during the Lord’s Test, which it refused to share.

Former captain Zaheer Abbas

“It’s absurd. The ICC has kept the players hostage for the last five months and now they have deferred the decision, which is inexplicable.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12^th, 2011.