Asif, Amir appeal against ICC's suspension

Karachi:

Pakistan suspended pace bowlers, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir have filed their appeals against their provisional suspensions with the International Cricket Council Anti-Corruption and Security Unit.

Well informed sources said that both had dispatched their appeals to the ICC headquarters in Dubai through their legal advisors on Saturday.

"They have filed separate appeals against their suspensions and have asked the ICC to convene a preliminary hearing to hear their appeals as soon as possible," the source said.

Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt had already sent his appeal against his suspension to the ICC three days back.

The trio was suspended by the ICC in early September after Scotland Yard said it was investigating allegations that the three had indulged in spot fixing during the fourth Test against England at Lord's.

A source aware of the process through which the appeals were filed said that Asif and Amir had not only appealed against their suspensions but also asked for the ICC ACSU to provide evidence that they had violated the anti-corruption code of conduct and indulged in misconduct or fixing.

The source said the ICC had indicated to the PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt who is in London that the preliminary hearing of all three players would be held on October 28 in London.

"The ICC has assured Butt that Michael Beloff QC will head an independent tribunal that will hear out the players appeals and also to the ICC ACSU general manger who has to submit evidence at the hearing to justify the provisional suspensions on the three players," the source said.

He said the trio will fly to London around October 25 for the hearing.

Asif incidentally got married this week despite facing one of the worst crises of his cricket career.

Pakistan's chief selector Mohsin Khan said yesterday that Pakistan would definitely feel the absence of the three suspended players as they were key performers for the team.

"The selectors have made up their mind that as soon as the suspensions are removed the trio would be included in the national team for the next series," Mohsin said.