Amir’s lawyer confident after return

Amir, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif returned to Lahore yesterday after six-day hearing.

LAHORE: Mohammad Amir’s lawyer has labeled the delay in the spot-fixing verdict a ‘silver lining’ and remained hopeful of a favourable verdict when the ICC-appointed tribunal announces a decision on February 5.

Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif returned to Lahore yesterday after the six-day hearing that took place in Doha failing to reach a verdict. While the trio refused to talk to the media, Shahid Karim, Amir’s lawyer, revealed the camp’s satisfaction during proceedings in Doha.

“We had a detailed and positive hearing in Doha,” said Karim. “I can confirm that we were given a fair opportunity to defend our case and they listened to us in an impartial way and the delay in handing out the verdict could be a silver lining for us.

“I’m confident that Amir will be cleared as the tribunal has withdrawn all charges against him in relation to the Oval Test. We have requested the three members of the tribunal to continue their deliberation before reaching any judgment.”

While Karim refused to speak about the possibility of a negative verdict coming their way – and a possibility of the cricketer going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport – he expressed hope and confidence that the tribunal will exonerate the left-arm fast-bowler.

“We’re happy with the way the case had gone on and I don’t believe Amir will be banned. I’m very confident that he will be exonerated so there is no question of thinking that the judgment could go against him.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2011.