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We are prepared for the worst: Butt, Aamir

By Pti

Karachi, Feb 4 (PTI) Pakistan''s suspended Test captainSalman Butt and pacer Muhammad Aamir are "prepared for theworst" when the ICC''s anti-corruption tribunal announces adecision on the spot-fixing allegations against them andMuhammad Asif tomorrow.

The two players, who left for Doha for the verdict, toldthe media they knew the "realities" of the case.

With rumours circulating that Butt and Asif are likely tobe handed life bans and Aamir a five-year ban by the tribunalthat will give a verdict based on a six-day hearing held inDoha in early January, Butt said he was going through theworst period of his life.

"It has been hell for all three of us but at the momentwe really don''t have any idea what the verdict is going to beso we remain hopeful," Butt said.

The trio were suspended last September by the ICC oncharges of spot-fixing and violating the ICC''s anti-corruptioncode of conduct clauses.

While Aamir is represented by Pakistani lawyer ShahidKarim, who left with him, Butt is represented by a UK basedlawyer of Indian origin Yasin Patel and Asif by Alan Cameron.

Butt said since the six-day hearing in Doha the tribunalhad not asked for any further clarifications regarding theevidence and statements made at the hearing.

"I really don''t know what is going to happen but it is aunderstatement to say these next 24 hours are going to be themost tense for me," the suspended opener said.

The tribunal that is headed by Michael Beloff includesJustices Albie Sachs and Sharad Rao.

Aamir said he was hoping for a positive outcome.

"Let us wait and see but we have the right of appealagainst any penalties," he noted.

Shahid Karim said no case was open and shut until theverdict was announced.

"It would be premature to make assumptions and I don''t goby the reports circulating in the media. We have great beliefthat my client will get a fair verdict," Karim said.

Sources well aware of the case indicated that the reportsof a life ban on Butt and Asif might be too harsh andpremature.

But former Chairman of the Pakistan cricket Board TauqirZia said he saw the writing on the wall for the suspendedtrio.

"I have said all along there is lot of evidence involvedin this case by the ICC and the onus has been on the ICCanti-corruption tribunal to prove these players are guilty ofspot-fixing," he said.

Story first published: Friday, February 4, 2011, 13:00 [IST]
Other articles published on Feb 4, 2011