Next step: Salman to appeal verdict

Banned former captain Salman Butt expressed disappointment and vowed to challenge the ICC verdict.

KARACHI: Banned former captain Salman Butt expressed disappointment and vowed to challenge the International Cricket Council (ICC) verdict in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). Salman, who was handed a 10-year sanction, five of which are suspended after the ICC banned the player over his role in spot-fixing, returned from Doha yesterday.

“I’m very disappointed by the decision which was unfair,” said Salman. “I’ll challenge the decision and I’m hoping my ban is reduced.”

The ICC tribunal, led by Micheal Beloff, handed the sanction to Salman besides announcing a seven and five-year exile from cricket for Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir respectively after they were found guilty in the hearing held in Doha last month.

Salman said he would prepare his course of action after getting a detailed report on the decision.

“We will get the details of the judgment in a few days after which I’ll appeal,” said the 26-year-old.

The tribunal has given the banned trio 21 days to appeal against the verdict. Mohammad Amir’s lawyer Shahid Karim already announced that the fast-bowler will challenge the decision.

‘Trio unlikely to get reprieve even at the CAS’

Meanwhile, a lawyer, who was part of Salman’s legal team before the Doha hearing, feared that the players’ attempt will prove futile.

“I think the CAS will not give any respite to the three players,” the lawyer told The Express Tribune. “The Doha hearing was the ideal chance for the players to get off and I don’t see the CAS would entertain them now.

“The tribunal had gathered strong evidence against the three players and there is very little chance that the CAS will let them go.”

The lawyer, however, termed the decision harsh irrespective of the evidence against the trio.

“I think a hefty fine and a strict warning would have been enough. The lengthy bans would end their career which is their livelihood.”

PCB remains undeterred

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made it clear that the players are on their own with the chairman Ijaz Butt saying the board cannot interfere.

“The PCB would neither challenge nor help the players in appealing,” said Butt. “The decision was right in light of its investigation.”

Meanwhile, Butt’s comments have not come as a surprise as the PCB already terminated the central contracts of the trio and also barred the disgraced trio from using its facilities soon after the ICC suspended them in September last year.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th, 2011.