International Cricket Council (ICC) chief Haroon Lorgat has played down suggestions that a verdict on the spot-fixing allegations against three Pakistan players would cast a shadow over next month’s 50-over World Cup.
“There’s some time between when the verdict is released on the fifth of February. We were keen to have it well before the start of the World Cup,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Lorgat, as saying.
An ICC anti-corruption tribunal against former Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt, and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer ended on Tuesday with no decision and a further hearing scheduled for February 5.
It is alleged that the cricketers conspired in the bowling of deliberate no-balls during Pakistan’s tour of England last year. All three players deny the claims.
The three-man ICC anti-corruption commission, chaired by Michael Beloff, is now expected to deliver its verdict next month.
Butt, Amir and Asif were provisionally suspended by the ICC in October, with the governing body’s code of conduct carrying a minimum five-year ban if corruption charges are proved.
The maximum punishment is a life ban from the game.
ANI
