Suspended Pakistani cricketers hoping for a positive outcome
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s suspended players are hopeful about a positive outcome when the Beloff-led independent tribunal announces a verdict on the spot-fixing allegations levelled against them on 5 February.
"It has been h**l for all three of us but at the moment, we really don't have any idea what the verdict is going to be, so we remain hopeful", said the 26-year-old Salman Butt, who was the captain of the side when the controversy had arisen.
The suspended opener dismissed the claims that he along with Mohammad Asif would receive life bans while the teenager would be handed a ban of five years, however, he did opine that they are "prepared for the worst".
Butt and Amir, along with their legal representatives, are in Doha for the verdict. Pakistani lawyer http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-c89347 Karim is defending Amir in the case while Butt is being represented by UK-based lawyer Yasin Patel.
Mohammad Asif has hired British Prime Minister David Cameron’s brother Alan Cameron to represent him.
Butt, along with Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, was suspended from cricket in September last year following spot-fixing charges levelled against them by a British tabloid, News of the World.
The tabloid had claimed that the three players were bribed by an illegal bookmaker http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mazhar-c75448 Majeed for delivering some deliberate no balls in the fourth Test against England at Lord’s.
Suspended teenage pacer, Mohammad Amir was also confident the Beloff-lead ICC tribunal would have some good news for him when the three-member panel discloses its final verdict on Saturday, however, he did add he reserves the right to appeal the verdict to the international Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).
"Let us wait and see but we have the right of appeal against any penalties", said the 18-year-old while talking to media.
Amir’s lawyer, Shahid Karim was also hopeful his client would get a clean-chit on Saturday.
"It would be premature to make assumptions and I don't go by the reports circulating in the media. We have great belief that my client will get a fair verdict", he added.
While the players hold the right to appeal against the decision of ICC appointed tribunal, the prospects of the governing body seeking CAS’s verdict on the issue could not be ruled out as ICC is expected to argue with the panel for maximum punishment.
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