Butt, Aamir file appeals to CAS against ICC ban

Lahore, Feb 26 (PTI) Pakistan''s tainted cricketers SalmanButt and Muhammad Aamir have filed appeals with InternationalCourt of Arbitration for Sports against the bans imposed onthem by the ICC anti-corruption tribunal earlier this year fortheir involvement in spot-fixing.

Butt, Aamir and their team-mate Muhammad Asif were allgiven minimum five-year bans by the anti-corruption tribunalfor their involvement in spot-fixing during Pakistan''s tour ofEngland last year.

The trio were given a deadline of 21 days by the tribunalto file appeals against their bans.

Asif is presently in London and there was no confirmationabout his going ahead with his appeal within the givendeadline but he had earlier made it clear he would appealagainst the ban.

"Yes my lawyer has sent the appeal to the InternationalArbitration Court and we are hoping we get a date for thehearing soon," Aamir told PTI.

The teenaged fast bowler, who was found guilty ofdeliberately bowling two no-balls during the fourth Testagainst England at Lords in August last, said he was keen toprove his innocence.

"My lawyer Shahid Karim has prepared a strong case forour appeal and we are hopeful that our appeal against this banwill be successful," Amir said.

The pacer said he was going through the worst period ofhis life having to sit on the sidelines and watch the Pakistanteam play in the World Cup.

"I have discussed the case with my lawyer and decidedthat we will use all available legal avenues to us tochallenge this ban which is unfair," he said.

Butt, who is presently working as a cricket expert on aPakistani television channel, confirmed his lawyer Yasin Patelwho is based in London had also dispatched the appeal to theInternational Court of Arbitration in Switzerland.

"Yes, we have gone into appeal because there aretechnical issues with the verdict given against us by theanti-corruption tribunal this month so we are hoping we canraise these relevant issues in the course of our appeal," Buttsaid.

The trio also have to appear in a magisterial court inLondon on March 17 to face charges of conspiracy to acceptbribes and trying to defraud brought against them by ScotlandYard.