ICC rejects Salman Butt's application for delay in hearing

Dubai:

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected suspended Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt's application to delay the hearing into the spot-fixing allegations against him and two other cricketers from his country.

Thus, the hearing will take place as scheduled from January 6-11 in Doha.

Butt along with pace duo of Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Amir were suspended by the ICC when allegation of spot-fixing surfaced against them during the Lord's Test against England in September.

Michael Beloff, Chairman of the ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal, heard the plea Butt's legal representation and ruled against the adjournment, last night.

"Mr Beloff, the Chairman of the ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal, following a lengthy telephone hearing and having received written submissions, has ruled that Mr Butt's application is denied and as such, the full hearing will take place as scheduled from 6-11 January 2011 in Doha, Qatar," an ICC statement said.

It was only Butt who wanted a delay in the hearing and both Asif and Amir were keen that hearing takes place as soon as possible.

Butt wanted Scotland Yard to complete its separate investigation into the issue before facing the ICC hearing.