Butt, Aamer blast ICC for rejecting their appeals

Pakistan's suspended duo of Salman Butt and Mohammad Aamer on Monday launched a scathing attack on the ICC, after it had rejected their appeals against suspension for alleged involvement in spot fixing, in a tribunal hearing in Dubai.

Pakistan's suspended duo of Salman Butt and Mohammad Aamer on Monday launched a scathing attack on the ICC, after it had rejected their appeals against suspension for alleged involvement in spot fixing, in a tribunal hearing in Dubai.

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The two players claimed the ICC had shown no evidence, apart from what the ‘News of the World’ tabloid had published against them, and reiterated that the suspensions and allegations of spot-fixing against them was a conspiracy to defame Pakistan cricket.

Both made it clear that they were not happy with the outcome of the hearing held at the ICC headquarters on Sunday.

Michael Beloff, who heads the ICC code of conduct commission, said that the suspensions would stay until a full hearing, as the charges against the players were of serious nature. But Butt disagreed. "They have no evidence and it appears they are just trying to corner Pakistan," an angry Butt said.

"They have no evidence except for what has appeared in the 'News of the World' and I am gutted. I will wait for a few days for them to send us a date for the full hearing after which I will decide my future line of action," he said.

Pak to announce World Cup squad

Pakistan will announce its preliminary squad for next year's World Cup later this month without considering suspended players Salman Butt, Muhammad Aamir and Muhammad Asif.

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt said that the suspended trio could not be considered in the preliminary squad until they were cleared by the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit.

"We have to submit the preliminary squad of 30 players by November 30 and these players will not be considered until they are cleared," he said.