Spot-fixing verdict won’t tarnish World Cup: Haroon Lorgat

MELBOURNE - The verdict on spot-fixing case involving key Pakistani players will not tarnish the World Cup event, International Cricket Council Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat has said.

According to an ICC press release, after a six-day hearing earlier this month, the Anti-Corruption Tribunal constituted to determine charges against Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif “has determined to continue its deliberations and will hold a further hearing in Doha on 5 February 2011 at which its decisions will be handed down to the parties, and any consequential matters will be dealt with.”

“There’s some time between when the verdict is released… We were keen to have it well before the start of the World Cup,” The Nation quoted Lorgat, as saying.

The Pakistani trio was alleged to have accepted payments for bowling no-balls at prearranged times in the fourth Test against England at Lord’s last year.

During the hearing, the ICC withdrew all charges against the trio in relation to The Oval Test, except for one against Butt. The other charges, which include all those relating to the Lord’s Test, remain for consideration.

The World Cup begins in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on February 19. Lorgat said the subcontinent will be ready, although five grounds have yet to be completed. The final is scheduled to be played at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on April 2, although the venue is still a building site.

“Five stadia are still to be completed but there are no alarm bells ringing and I’m sure they will be ready well before the World Cup,” Lorgat told a media conference in Melbourne. (ANI)