UESTS- ASIF AQBAL, ZAHEER ABBAS, COLN; NOSHAD, AFTAB GUL, USMAN SAMI U DIN

SLAMABAD TONIGH

WITH NADEEM MALIK

11-01-2011

TOPIC- ICC HEARING OF SPOT FIXING CASE

GUESTS- ASIF AQBAL, ZAHEER ABBAS, COLN; NOSHAD, AFTAB GUL, USMAN SAMI U DIN

ASIF IQBAL FORMER CAPTAIN OF PAKISTAN CRICKET TEAM said that there must be some logic behind delaying the verdict on spot fixing case against Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif. He said that it is difficult to understand that why ICC taking so much time to deliberate. He said there is nothing against three cricketers so far except accusations but he said it seems from the statements of ICC officials that they have some kind of evidence to make their case against accused cricketers. He said it would have been wise on the part of the Pakistan cricket board to withdraw three cricketers from the team and call them back to Pakistan to probe the spot fixing charges.

ZAHEER ABBAS FORMER CAPTAIN OF PAKISTAN CRICKET TEAM said that it is so painful to delay the verdict against accused cricketers. He said that if three accused players are not available to play for Pakistan it will increase difficulties in the world cup. He said that Pakistan cricket board should make sure that if three cricketers are found not guilty of spot fixing charges will be included in world cup squad of Pakistan cricket team. He said that it is almost impossible to eradicate spot fixing from the sport of cricket. He said that spot fixing is a common practice in Pakistan domestic cricket too. He said that honor to play for Pakistan is more than any thing. He said it is our own people who trapped three Pakistani cricketers in to spot fixing scandal. He said if ICC hade credible evidence against the cricketers then decisions should have been delivered by now. He said that he gives credit to Pakistani cricketers to perform reasonably well despite of the tough times they are going through. He said that three accused cricketers have not played any form of cricket for last six months and now ICC has borrowed some more time to reach the decision. He said that it is cruel with cricketers and Pakistani nation on the part of ICC to further delaying the verdict. He said that ICC though that they can treat Pakistani’s they way they like.

COL; (R) NOSHAD A FORMER PAKISTANI CRICKETER said that it is quite possible that judges want to consult with ICC officials before the deliberation. He said that players will go through the mental torture by the delay of verdict. He said that ICC can bar three accused players from playing world cup even if they are not guilty. He said that Pakistan cricket board should ask ICC to allow three cricketers to play world cup in case they are not found guilty of spot fixing charges. He said that it would have been better if Pakistan cricket board had held an honest inquiry of three Pakistani accused cricketers. He said if players in domestic cricket would have been punished for spot fixing Pakistan was not going to face this world wide humiliation. He said that ICC should give another chance to the lawyers of the players before reaching any decision.

USMAN SAMI U DIN CRICINFO PAKISTAN said that the judges of spot fixing case have first time come across with case against three Pakistani cricketers that is why they want to take their time before they reach any decision. He said that it is the career of three prominent international cricketers on the line so judges want to pay full consideration before deliberation. He said that there is possibility that Mohammad Amir will not get harsh punishment because of his young age. He said that there was discrepancy in the testimonial statements of Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif and that fact has considerably damaged the case of two cricketers.

AFTAB GUL FORMER PAKISTANI CRICKETEER AND EX LAWYER FOR SALMAN BUTT said that ICC has decided to punish Pakistani cricketers in any case. He said that ICC neither declaring Pakistani cricketers guilty nor innocent. He said that it was promised by ICC to deliberate on the case before world cup then why decision is delayed.