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Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt and Mohammad Aamer appeared before an International Cricket Council code of conduct commissioner on Saturday for a hearing into their suspension on charges of spot fixing.
The two, along with fast bowler Mohammad Asif, were provisionally suspended by the ICC over allegations they were involved in spot-fixing during Pakistan’s summer tour of England.
All three appealed, but Asif later withdrew his application.
The two cricketers arrived with their lawyers — Salman with Khalid Ranjha, a former law minister, and Aftab Gul, a former Pakistan player, and Aamer with his lawyer Shahid Karim early in the morning.
Both Salman and Aamer, wearing casual shirts and trousers, waved to the media but did not speak as they entered the ICC headquarters.
Michael Beloff QC, chairman of the ICC’s code of conduct commission, is hearing the appeal against the provisional suspensions and has the power to overturn them.
“We have made progress in the case,” said Beloff, without giving any further detail.
The hearing lasted for seven and a half hours and will continue on Sunday. The commission is expected to announce a decision on the players’ appeals on Sunday in a ruling that can not be further challenged.
The scandal broke after a report by British tabloid The News of the World prompted Scotland Yard to launch an investigation into allegations of spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test against England in August.
Police raided the team’s hotel in London and questioned Salman, Aamer, Asif and bowler Wahab Riaz, but they have yet to formally level any charges.
A News of the World reporter here shouted a question to Salman, “what about bringing the game into shame,” to which the former captain only stared at him without replying.
Owing to their suspensions, the trio have been excluded from Pakistan’s current tour of the United Arab Emirates, where they are playing South Africa.
Salman and Aamer have vowed to clear their names.
“I am confident that I will be cleared and will be available to play for Pakistan soon. We have committed no mistake and the sting operation of the News of the World has flaws,” Salman told AFP last week.
According to the ICC process, the matter of the players’ code of conduct violation will not be heard during the current hearing.
The ICC code stipulates a minimum five year ban if charges of corruption are proved.
Salman’s lawyer Gul Friday said he expected a fair hearing.
“We are going for justice in their court,” said Gul, who played six Tests for Pakistan between 1969-71.
“We can’t pre-empt what decision they give, it’s their discretion, but our case is very good. There is no strong evidence against Salman on the basis of which we can say that he should remain suspended.”
Pakistan Cricket Board said the players will be readily available if their provisional suspension is lifted.
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