Spot-fixing case: Butt does not trust ICC’s inquiry tribunal to impart justice

ISLAMABAD - The confrontation between suspended Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt and the International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken a serious turn following the disclosure that he had told the governing body about his no-confidence in the inquiry tribunal that will hear the spot-fixing case next month.

In his 36-page reply to the ICC, Butt demanded an independent inquiry into the spot-fixing allegations levelled against him by a panel of former Supreme Court judges, the Daily Times reports.

He also said he does not have confidence in Michael Beloff, head of the ICC code of conduct commission, and ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat, adding that he expects no justice from the tribunal that will hear his case in January.

In the reply, Butt’s legal team termed the provisional suspension of their client as “illegal”, and also questioned that despite three months having passed since the suspension was imposed, the ICC had violated its own terms by not reaching a decision on the case.

However, the ICC has refused to accept Butt’s reply, giving him a deadline of 24 hours to submit a fresh reply or forgo his right of defence.

The new reply is now being prepared by noted Pakistani lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan and Yasin Patel, a barrister of Indian origin in London.

“They are now going to file a revised reply,” Butt said. (ANI)