ICC tribunal to give verdict on Pakistan trio on Feb. 5
The International Cricket Council (ICC) tribunal will give its verdict on the three Pakistan players accused of spot-fixing on Feb. 5, tribunal chairman Michael Beloff said on Tuesday.
Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif will remain suspended, the ICC said.
The six day hearing at ICC's anti-corruption tribunal ended on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Shahid Karim, who is Mohammad Amir's legal counsel, has requested the three man ICC tribunal to take more time to study the case before announcing their decision.
"We have requested the judges to look at the case carefully and properly and with due consideration before they announce the verdict," Karim told Geo TV. "This is up to them, and if they have looked at it with thought and consideration, then after we finish they'll tell us if the verdict is announced today or at a later date," Karim had said.
The hearing, which started on January 6, was held at the Qatar Financial Centre behind closed doors. ICC officials were saying that the closing statements were being heard on Tuesday morning.
"The Tribunal is determined to continue its deliberations until Feb. 5 this year. Until that date all three players will remain suspended," Beloff said in a statement.
The players face lengthy bans if they are found guilty of spot-fixing during Pakistan's test series in England last year.
A British Sunday newspaper report alleged that they had taken bribes to arrange for deliberate no-balls to be delivered at pre-agreed times in the fourth test at Lord's.
Charges against Asif and Amir relating to the third test at the Oval have been dropped but one against Butt in the same match remains.
"The ICC has withdrawn all charges against all three players in relation to the Oval test except for one against Mr Butt. The tribunal has formally acquitted the players in respect to the charges that have been withdrawn," Beloff said.
"The other charges which include all those relating to the Lord's test remain in consideration."
The three players, none of whom is being backed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), have denied any involvement in spot-fixing.
The three-man hearing is being led by Michael Beloff of England, Justice Albie Sachs from South Africa and Kenyan Sharad Rao.
Source: http://cricbuzz.com
