Pakistan pacer Mohammad Asif withdraws appeal against provisional suspension
Pakistan’s new-ball bowler Mohammad Asif has withdrawn his appeal against the provisional suspension, imposed on him by the International Cricket Council on 2nd September for his alleged participation in the Lord’s spot-fixing controversy.
The new ball pair – Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir – and the then Test captain of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755, Salman Butt, were suspended by the ICC under the Article II of its anti-corruption code after allegations surfaced that the trio was involved in spot-fixing conspiracy
during the fourth Test of the four-match series against England played at the historical venue of The Lord’s.
"Mohammad Asif confirmed earlier today that he has withdrawn his challenge to the provisional suspension imposed on him on 2 September 2010 pending determination of the charges brought against him under the ICC's Anti-Corruption Code," an ICC released said.
On 29th August, a British tabloid News of the World (NOTW) had claimed in its Sunday edition that the pacer’s duo, Aamer and Asif, were paid by a bookie named http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mazhar-c75448 Majeed for bowling deliberate no-balls during the Lord's Test. Though the trio
has been denying its alleged involvement into the controversy, the International Cricket Council, after studying the probe reports of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Scotland-c756 Yards and its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, suspended the three from all cricket formats until determination
of the charges levelled against them.
The trio was given the right of appeal against ICC’s suspension and all the three players lodged separate appeals against their suspension earlier this month. The hearing was scheduled on 30 and 31st October in Doha, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Qatar-c2986. But with just a week
left behind, Asif withdrew his appeal. Though ICC in its statement has not mentioned any reason behind Asif’s step but hidden sources have claimed that fast bowler took the step after consulting with the lawyer representing him in the case.
"The legal firm representing him in the case apparently has advised him to take more time as they require time to prepare for the case and appeal against the suspension," said one source.
According to the source, Asif’s lawyer had come across some technical issues in the petition lodged with the ICC and thus recommended him to pull out it at the moment
"Arrangements are now being made for the challenges being made by Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir against their provisional suspensions to be heard in Dubai on 30 and 31 October 2010," the release added.
Earlier, the ICC was to conduct hearing in Doha because Asif is banned from entering Dubai following imprisonment in 2008 for a drug-related transgression.
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