Sports

Amir and Butt must wait for verdict on ICC suspensions

Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt must wait to learn if their suspensions will be lifted after ICC hearing is extended.

Reuters October 30, 2010

DUBAI: Pakistan players Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt must wait to learn if their suspensions over spot-fixing allegations will be lifted after an International Cricket Council (ICC) hearing was extended on Saturday.

Officials from cricket's governing body said the hearing would now conclude on Sunday.

"The hearings went on all day," Butt's lawyer Khalid Ranjha told reporters after the eight-hour session. "It will continue tomorrow. I can't say anything more about the discussions today."

Michael Beloff, who is presiding over the hearing and heads the ICC's code of conduct commission, said: "We are making progress."

However, he declined to elaborate.

The proceedings in Dubai are concerned only with the pair's suspensions and whether the ICC followed the correct procedures in imposing them.

The innocence or guilt of the players, who have denied any wrongdoing, will be judged at an independent tribunal, the date of which has yet to be set.

Pace bowler Amir and opening batsman Butt were suspended by the ICC on Sept. 2 after being charged with various offences under cricket's anti-corruption code.

The bans followed allegations in a British newspaper of spot-fixing during the recent test series against England.

Butt and Amir refused to speak to reporters on Saturday.

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif was also suspended by the ICC over the same allegations but withdrew his appeal earlier this month in order to give his lawyers more time to prepare a detailed challenge.

Asif also denies any wrongdoing.

The British newspaper report alleged Amir and Asif deliberately bowled no-balls to order in a test against England at Lord's in August, with the involvement of Butt who was then Pakistan captain.

British police are also investigating the spot-fixing allegations against the trio.

COMMENTS (2)

Razmatrazz | 13 years ago | Reply First of all I dont understand why it takes so long for "ICC panel" to decide things. Other thing that surprises me is that if I did something wrong or someone accused of any wrong doing, albeit how minor, I would have come out in the media, press conferences and shouted out my innocence! The spot fixing claims cannot be subtantiated as there is no proof of any financial nature that will probably be proved - its not like they defrauded or aimed to defraud as officially licensed bookie by placing huge bets - so ICC can forget that angle. its a shame that PCB and the Pak media instead of supporting the cause for increased scrutiny in Pak cricket, emphasise on ICC's bias behavior towards Pakistanis. To be honest, Amir and Asis are extraordinary cricketers (Butt is someone the team can find any day)- the fact that Pakistanis are generally corrupt or "morally flexible" - I wouldnt be surprised if they actually did it. Its not what you know - its what you can prove that Law is based on!

Adeel Ahmed | 14 years ago | Reply My prayers are with you two. If you are truly innocent I wish you guys can spit on the faces of these biased ICC muppets, and come out clean. However, if you guys were upto no good... Im sorry... You let us down, and you guys deserve your punishments.

Replying to X