Spot-fixing verdict deferred till Feb 5: Reports

Tainted Pakistani cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif will have to wait for some more days to learn their fate after the ICC's anti-corruption tribunal on Tuesday deferred its verdict on the spot-fixing row till February 5, according to reports.

The ICC was expected to come out with its verdict on Tuesday after its three-man independent tribunal, led by Code of Conduct commissioner Michael Beloff of England and aided by Justice Albie Sachs from South Africa and Kenyan Sharad Rao, heard all the parties behind closed doors at the Qatar Financial Centre since January 6.

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However, according to Sky Sports, the tribunal deferred their judgment after Aamer's lawyer, Shahid Karim, requested the panel to take more time to study the case before announcing its verdict.

Karim had later told a television channel that he had indeed asked the tribunal not to rush with its decision.

"We have requested the judges to look at the case carefully and with due consideration before they announce the verdict," Karim said.

"This is up to them, and if they have looked at it with thought and consideration, then after we finish they'll tell us if the verdict is announced today or at a later date.

"I am satisfied that the hearing has been very good and impartial, and I can say from our point of view, at least, we are hopeful. The onus is now on the judges," he said.  

The tainted trio were charged of spot-fixing during Pakistan's tour of England last year. It is alleged that players conspired in bowling deliberate no-balls during a Test at Lord's, a claim they all deny.

The three were provisionally suspended by the ICC from all forms of cricket in September, with players facing a minimum five-year ban and maximum life ban if found guilty.

Before going for Tuesday's hearing, Aamer said the episode was one of the most difficult phases of his life but is confident of coming out clean.

"When the nation's prayers are with you, you don't feel so scared and there is hope. It's been difficult to sleep over the last few nights but my eyes are open now and when good news comes I will hopefully be able to close them properly," he told reporters.

"We are satisfied with how things have gone, and my family's prayers are also with me. I'm feeling good and am hoping for some good news," he added.