Suspended trio head to Qatar for hearings

Entertainment Cricket and Other Sports
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**The final chapter in this mess about to begin.
**
Suspended trio head to Qatar for hearings

   ESPNcricinfo staff

January 4, 2011

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Suspended Pakistan trio Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir have flown out to Qatar to attend a hearing of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Tribunal. The three-member tribunal headed by Michael Beloff QC will hold a six-day long session starting Thursday before delivering its verdict on the three players.
The players were suspended by the ICC in September following spot-fixing allegations against them during the Lord’s Test against England a month earlier. The allegations were raised after a sting operation by Britain’s News of the World tabloid claiming that several Pakistani players took money from a bookmaker to bowl deliberate no-balls.
“My lawyer has prepared the case extensively and I hope that I will be cleared,” Amir told reporters at Lahore airport. “This is the toughest period of my life but I am confident that it will be over and I will be playing for Pakistan soon.”
Salman is being represented by British-based lawyer Yasin Patel, Asif by Allan Cameron, brother of British Prime Minister David Cameron, while Aamer’s lawyer is Shahid Karim from Pakistan.
The ICC’s three-man tribunal includes Beloff, Justice Albie Sachs of South Africa and Sharad Rao of Kenya. Beloff, the ICC’s code of conduct commissioner, had chaired the hearings into the appeals of Amir and Butt against their suspensions in Dubai, and had upheld the ICC’s decision.

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Hope to see results in favour of Pakistan :jhanda:

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ICC have dragged it for far too long. They need to deal with it once in for all.

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Well we hope for Aamer as well...but the reality may not be what we hope.......tough next few days for them and for all Paki fans...

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Pakistan trio’s careers on the line

       [Osman Samiuddin in Doha](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/current/story/495460.html#)

January 5, 2011

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The hearings into the spot-fixing scandal involving three players from Pakistan will begin from Thursday in the unlikely setting of Doha, Qatar. At stake during the hearings is the playing future of [(http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/412059.html) to enter the UAE after he was deported from Dubai in 2008 because of a drug-related offence.
The three were provisionally suspended by the ICC soon after the scandal emerged and though Butt and Amir contested that decision, their appeals were rejected. If found guilty, they could be banned for anywhere from five years to life.
This is the first time such a case is taking place with the ICC effectively the prosecutors. Past offenders, such as Salim Malik and Hansie Cronje, were punished by their own boards.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/current/story/495460.html](“http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/42683.html”)

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** Salman Butt ‘baffled by agent’s no ball accuracy’ **(:hehe: This guy is hilarious)

Amir (left), Asif (centre) and Butt face potential life bans if found guilty

                                                                                                                                      By David Bond                                                                            
                                         BBC sports editor, in Doha

Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt told the International Cricket Council’s spot fixing inquiry that he did not know how his agent had predicted with such accuracy when no-balls would be bowled in the Lord’s Test match against England in August 2010.
Butt’s evidence came as he and two other Pakistan players, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of breaking the ICC’s anti-corruption code, at a hearing in Doha.
In brief opening statements responding to the allegations, fast bowler Amir also told the three-man commission chaired by Michael Beloff QC that he did not know why businessman Mazhar Majeed told the News of the World when the no balls would be bowled.
But in a sign that divisions between the three players are already emerging, Asif took a different line, telling the tribunal that he bowled a no ball by mistake after being instructed by Butt to bowl a faster delivery.
The players will be quizzed at greater length over the next two days with a verdict on the charges expected to be made by Sunday or Monday and punishments delivered afterwards, possibly by Tuesday.
The length of time set aside for the hearing reflects the weight of evidence the ICC is presenting to the tribunal.
On Friday it will hear from Mazher Mahmood, the News of the World journalist who broke the story.
The ICC is relying heavily on the newspaper’s evidence, gathered as part of an extensive undercover sting last August.
And, although Pakistan coach Waqar Younis and one-day captain Shahid Afridi are also due to provide testimony via video link, it is the weight of cumulative evidence from the News of the World which the ICC believes will lead to all three players being found guilty of corruption.
If they are they found guilty of the more serious charges they could face bans from the sport of between five years and life.
Butt, Asif and Amir all sat through more than seven hours of evidence during the first day and are expected to be present for every day of the hearing, which is being held in the unlikely setting of Doha’s financial district.
The case could not be heard in Dubai, where the ICC is based, as Asif is barred from the country because he has been banned in the past for doping offences which contravene Dubai’s rules on entering the country.
Intriguingly, there were also reports on the website Cricinfo - which the ICC did not confirm or deny - that a request by the Pakistan Cricket Board to be observers at the hearing was rejected by two of the three players, a sign perhaps of the tension between the cricketers and their governing body.
With the ICC under pressure to protect the sport’s integrity at a time when it is under threat from illegal betting in India and elsewhere, the governing body is well aware of the importance of this case.
It is the first time the ICC has mounted an anti-corruption inquiry of this nature as its anti-corruption code is relatively new.
Previous inquiries were carried out by the domestic cricketing and judicial authorities.
Sharad Rao, Kenya’s former attorney general and a member of the three-man commission, summed up the significance of the inquiry when he told reporters before the start of the hearing: “It is an important hearing for the future of cricket.”
With the ICC aware that cricket’s reputation is also in the dock, they want the panel to hand out lengthy bans to the players in the hope it will send a strong message to the rest of the sport.

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he definitely needs a haircut.

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:rotfl:

I guess he is trying to run away and passing all the blame onto the bowlers suggesting he didn’t know agent fixed no-balls directly with bowlers.

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ICC completed its presentation of the evidence and witnesses…

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/current/story/495873.html

ICC makes its case against suspended players
Osman Samiuddin in Doha
January 7, 2011

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The ICC has finished making its case against the three Pakistani players facing charges of spot-fixing on the second day of the anti-corruption hearing, with three key witnesses having been heard through the session. The way is now paved for Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir to begin their defence on Saturday.

Proceedings on the day were dominated by the presentation of more evidence by the ICC and the examination of all prosecution witnesses who attended the hearing in person or via teleconference. Pakistan’s T20 and ODI captain, Shahid Afridi, and their coach, Waqar Younis, appeared via teleconference though there was confusion initially over whether the former had appeared.

The pair had given statements to investigators when they were in Dubai for the series against South Africa in October-November last year. In the statements, which were leaked in to media in Pakistan, Younis is said to have questioned Amir about the no-ball during a break in play and expressed his surprise at such a large front-foot transgression.

Afridi was questioned, it is believed, among other things, about the World T20 where he was captain of a side that included the three players. Part of the supporting evidence is linked to the tournament, held in the Caribbean before Pakistan’s tour of England.

The most significant witness is likely to have been Mazhar Mahmood, the News of the World reporter who carried out the sting operation and put together the story. There has been much speculation about his presence from the start of proceedings; the investigative reporter maintains a notoriously low-key profile and is not easily recognized in public. ESPNcricinfo understands he has been present at the hearings over both days so far, and the ICC is said to be relying extensively on the evidence the newspaper gathered in their operation.

The next two days are now expected to produce significant developments as the players begin in earnest the process of defending themselves. The three have pleaded not guilty to the charges and will be examined first by their own lawyers before the ICC’s lawyers cross-examine them.

Indications from the players’ opening statements are that each has adopted a separate line of defence and that is expected to become more distinct - though not necessarily as divergent as has been assumed - over the next two days.

The proceedings of the first two days have been of a cagey, tight nature - though apparently cordial - and not perhaps as conclusive as might be imagined. Even to some involved in the hearing, it has been difficult to conclude how it has gone so far. There is an acknowledgment that each player’s perspective on how things have gone will be different; one is believed to see things as going to plan so far and content with the workings of the tribunal.

***Outwardly at least the players have looked upbeat on entry and exit from the Qatar Financial Centre tower. All three were dressed in jacket and trousers on the first day and though Asif and Amir maintained that on Friday, Butt had loosened up sartorially a little. And having ignored the media entirely on Thursday, Asif and Butt even acknowledged the presence of some today if only to indicate, understandably, that they couldn’t comment.

Osman Samiuddin is Pakistan editor of Cricinfo

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I wonder if taking different lines of rebuttal will actually help them or hurt them…? :hmmm:

I am guessing it should help them since if nothing it will confuse ICC on which stance to disprove…but if the STATURE from ICC is that they are GUILTY untill proven innocent then it doesn’t matter what lines of attack they use.

My sympathies for Aamir only since something just keeps bugging me that a young guy who is so talented wouldn’t simply sell himself…unless ofcourse some one senior that he trusted and respected told convinced him that EVERYTHING would be fine and they would never get exposed…

Dekhtain heay oont kis karwat beth-ta heay…:frowning:

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Whats latest :hmmm:

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I think the decision will be made either tomorrow or monday.

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Spot-fixing: Cricketers to begin defence today
Updated : Saturday January 8 , 2011 2:04:48 PM

DOHA: The ICC has finished making its case against the three Pakistani players facing charges of spot-fixing on the second day of the anti-corruption hearing, with three key witnesses having been heard through the session.

The way is now paved for Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir to begin their defence today.

Proceedings on the day were dominated by the presentation of more evidence by the ICC and the examination of all prosecution witnesses who attended the hearing in person or via teleconference. Pakistan’s T20 and ODI captain, Shahid Afridi, and their coach, Waqar Younis, appeared via teleconference.

Afridi was questioned, it is believed, among other things, about the World T20 where he was captain of a side that included the three players. Part of the supporting evidence is linked to the tournament, held in the Caribbean before Pakistan’s tour of England.

The next two days are now expected to produce significant developments as the players begin in earnest the process of defending themselves. The three have pleaded not guilty to the charges and will be examined first by their own lawyers before the ICC’s lawyers cross-examine them.

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Hope the decision should be in favour of Pakistan :jhanda:

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Pakistan is not involved, these three guys are. If they are guilty and are banned the decision is in Pakistan’s favour, if they are not guilty they can come back, again the decision is in favour of Pakistan.

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For some reason Butt looks more guilty than others. But looking at their different lines of defence they all sound guilty simply because there isn't much substance in their rebuttal. Whether they are found guilty or not I hope ICC makes everything public so all the conspiracy theories can be put to rest.

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The latest - Butt takes the stand.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/495982.html

Butt undergoes ‘tough’ cross-examination

       [Osman Samiuddin in Doha](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/495982.html#)

January 8, 2011

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Despite the ‘tough’ say, Salman Butt looked considerably more relaxed than previous days © Associated Press

    Salman Butt, the former Pakistan captain, spent the entire third day of the spot-fixing hearings in Doha being examined first by his own lawyer before facing what has been described as "a tough" cross-examination by the ICC's legal team.

Butt is facing charges of spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test between Pakistan and England last summer along with bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, the trio alleged to have bowled deliberate, pre-planned no-balls.
Butt was Test captain at the time and he has since maintained his innocence publicly and more aggressively than the other two players. In several interviews on TV and elsewhere, he has explained the presence of the money found in his hotel room after the scandal broke in the News of the World, as well as his relationship with Mazhar Majeed, the player-agent caught on camera claiming he could orchestrate spot-fixing within the side.
The fact that he spent the whole day being examined indicates the significance of his role in the proceedings and the part it may play in the final outcome. One observer said the cross-questioning “had been a tough one, though that is something they would have expected.” It also increases the chances, with Asif and Amir still to present their defence and be cross-examined, of the hearing lasting its full scheduled duration till January 11. ***
On Friday the ICC had heard from their witnesses, including Shahid Afridi, Waqar Younis and Mazhar Mahmood, the NOTW investigative reporter responsible for the initial story. The hearings also heard from Khawaja Najam, who was the team’s security manager during the World Twenty20 and the England tour, but has since stepped down from the post. In a recently leaked report of statements Najam made to ICC investigators, details were revealed of the money and currency found in the players’ rooms immediately after the Lord’s Test.
Much of the questioning of the Pakistani witnesses on the second day of the hearing had been to simply confirm or deny events and statements they had already made, with little “beating about the bush” about surrounding speculation. At least one of the witnesses believes that leaves little scope for doubt to be created and suggests that the situation doesn’t augur particularly well for the trio.
It isn’t clear yet whether Butt’s cross-examination will continue on the fourth day or who is to follow him on the stand. The order of appearance has been pre-decided by the tribunal.
The day didn’t appear to have visibly affected Butt. He walked out at the end with his lawyer Yasin Patel looking considerably more relaxed than on previous days, engaged in what appeared to be a discussion with Patel about Imran Khan and Dennis Lillee. ***

       Osman Samiuddin is Pakistan editor of Cricinfo
[http://i.imgci.com/espncricinfo/storyRSS.gif](http://www.espncricinfo.com/rss/content/story/feeds/magazine.rss?author=25) Feeds: Osman Samiuddin © ESPN EMEA Ltd.
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and I thought that bowling THAT NO BALL was going to be the biggest WTF moment of his life…Amir proving me wrong

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cheers to that

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hahahahha... what a retard this guy is... AMIR!!! come on yo??? wtF you doing????

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Differences between Butt and Asif grow
Osman Samiuddin in Doha
January 10, 2011

Growing differences between Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif in the spot-fixing hearings in Doha, Qatar appear to have given rise to the acknowledgment that wrongdoing was committed during the Lord’s Test last summer, but that complicity in the act and blame for it have not yet been settled.

The pair, along with Mohammad Amir, have pleaded not guilty to charges of bowling deliberate no-balls in the fourth Test against England, allegedly at the behest of player-agent Mazhar Majeed. But on day five of the hearing, during which Asif presented his defence and was then cross-examined by ICC lawyers, the explanations of why a no-ball was bowled suggest that it was the result of a direct or indirect instruction from Butt.

It has slowly become clear over the course of the hearing that the equation between how Butt and Asif defended themselves in particular was going to be pivotal in the case. In his opening statement, Asif is believed to have said that the no-ball came about because of the extra effort required to bowl a faster ball as instructed by Butt, who was captain at the time.

As a result, Butt was questioned by Asif’s lawyer, Alexander Cameron, during his defence earlier in the hearing; in turn, on Monday, Butt’s lawyer Yasin Patel questioned Asif. Amir on the other hand was not questioned by either of the other players’ lawyers.

There is a suggestion that Butt wasn’t in the courtroom, on the 12th floor of the Qatar Financial Centre, during Asif’s questioning. As has been the case through the week, the players arrived separately; Asif was the first to do so and the last to leave.

Given that the possibility of deliberate wrongdoing is strengthened through the interplay between Butt and Asif, the situation does not appear too bright for the players. The probability that the ICC, which is keen to establish its credentials as a body with zero tolerance for corruption, will push for harsh sanctions must be high. As Pakistan’s captain at the time, Butt faces the possibility of the sternest sanctions.

He was under cross-examination for the longest period of the three players and one witness’ statements in particular are thought to have hurt his case. Equally, stern action against Asif and Amir cannot be discounted if guilt is established, even though the latter’s youth and unblemished disciplinary record might provide mitigating circumstances.

After Asif’s cross-examination, the ICC began its closing statements. On Wednesday the players will deliver their closing statements. Thereafter the tribunal of Michael Beloff QC, Albie Sachs and Sharad Rao is expected to deliberate over the judgment. There is no indication yet whether a judgment and verdict will be made public on Tuesday or whether they decide to reserve the judgment till later.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/current/story/496254.html