Pakistan

'ICC trying to corner Pakistan'

Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir accused the ICC of treating them unfairly and said it had no evidence against them.

Reuters November 01, 2010

KARACHI: Suspended Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir accused the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday of treating them unfairly and said it had no evidence against them regarding spot-fixing allegations.

The two players have returned to Lahore from Dubai where their appeals over provisional suspensions were rejected by the chairman of the ICC code of conduct commission, Michael Beloff, after a two-day hearing that ended on Sunday.

The pair, who were suspended on September 2 by the ICC along with team mate Mohammad Asif, have been told to prepare for a full hearing of the case as they are facing serious allegations of spot fixing.

"They have no evidence and it appears they are just trying to corner Pakistan," angry former test captain Butt told reporters at the airport.

"They have no evidence except for what has appeared in the News of the World and they didn't even give us a date for the full hearing, we are totally disappointed."

A report in British newspaper the News of the World 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.

Left arm pace bowler Amir said the allegations against them were a conspiracy against Pakistan cricket.

"To me it appeared as if this is a conspiracy to defame Pakistan cricket. I am hurt and sad because we want the truth to come out," the 18-year-old said.

"I am disappointed because they didn't even tell us the reason for rejecting our appeals. It appeared to be as if the decision of the hearing had been made beforehand."

Butt's lawyer Aftab Gul said after Sunday's decision that while the hearing was fair he was disappointed by the outcome.

The two players said they would wait for the ICC to send them a date for the hearing before deciding on their next step.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt said the spot-fixing allegations were damaging attempts to revive international cricket in the country.

COMMENTS (10)

Harish+S | 13 years ago | Reply PCB. A request for the rejuvanation of Pakistan cricket. Ban the 3 players for 300 years and then revoke the ban in 3 days. ICC satisfied, BCCI satisfied, conspiracy dead.

prasad | 13 years ago | Reply Sadly there are enough takers for the 'Pakistan is being cornered' story. I have begun to believe that the readers of Dawn and Tribune are more level-headed than the anchors and their guests on television. You have eminent ex-cricketers coming and saying "yes it is political", "it is an Indian conspiracy" etc etc. When they the opinion makers should be saying - this is an opportunity to clean up cricket - and perhaps if PCB had been more proactive in suspending the said players, ICC would not have had to take this unprecedented step. PCB needs to look beyond its persecution complex.

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iqbal | 13 years ago | Reply Salman, keep your mouth shut. You know the evidence against you and your two colleagues is very tight. When Amir is bowling that famous no ball the picture clearly shows you are looking at the bowler and not the batsman. Since when did fielders in test cricket look at bowlers at time of delivery? Remember that these ICC lawyers were not educated in Pakistan but in world renowned institutions. You and your pals might as well prepare for the worst.

Umair Mallick | 13 years ago | Reply Just a shame on the name of cricket and the country... Another cheap comment.... I don't know if he is right or wrong but ... Hmmmm..... he can't possibly be right. Go away mate.. Give up... Look for another career... Why not go to India... Perhaps a bollywood star!!! Good luck anyway

Hasan Iftikhar | 13 years ago | Reply NO Mr. Butt. ICC is trying only to corner YOU and your mate. For a reason.

Atiq Qadri | 13 years ago | Reply What Salman is portraying is difficult to understand and only suggests that the ex Pakistan captain has the courage to say to the nation after all this drama. At least even if he is convinced that he is not guilty, he should wait for the court orders before making such comments .

Waleed khan | 13 years ago | Reply of'course . Salman Butt , M. Asif and M. Amir = Pakistan. Basically they are trying to say cheaters = Pakistan. I agree with them to a certain extend.

Rana Umair | 13 years ago | Reply Evidence or not evidence, I feel we are being cornered. Our board is weak and this was the best opportunity for a board headed by Indians to punish us. However, this does not mean ICC should stop looking into the matter. But it should be fair and follow the due process. If they do not have enough evidence they cant just keep three classic players suspended. I feel our society, media, and even other players have left these players alone. We should stand with them and if they are guilty, they should be banned but till they are proven guilty we should not just abandon them because after all they are Pakistanis and are great players.

Ali Farooqui | 13 years ago | Reply Ahh here goes another Butt with the conspiracy theory .. must be something in the name

Ashutosh | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan is trying to defend the undependable. These players have glaring evidence against them. All those trying to defend them will probably never succeed. By siding with them, Pakistan will only move from bad to worse. I am sure justice will prevail.

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