The Pakistan Cricket Board is shelling out a whopping 700 pounds (Rs 61,000 approx) per hour to a team of lawyers it has hired to plead its case at the International Cricket Council disciplinary hearing in London on September 27 and 28.
Sources in the PCB said it had hired famous law firm D L Piper to represent them in the case, resulting from the Oval controversy, following which skipper Inzamam-ul Haq was charged with ball tampering and bringing the game into disrepute.
"The firm has appointed three lawyers including a Pakistani, Wasim Khokar, to work with us. They are paid on an hourly basis. The senior one gets 300 pounds and the other two 200 pounds per hour," a source said.
According to rough calculations, the lawyers would have had more than 50 hours of consultations with the Board and players by now.
"You can calculate for yourself how much this is costing the Board," the source added.
He disclosed that the PCB is counting on the lawyers to bail them out of a difficult situation, although even Inzamam is mentally prepared to face a ban.
"But the Board has also made up its mind to lodge a quick appeal if he is banned to ensure he plays in the Champions Trophy."
The source said the lawyers have prepared a strong case and adopted a strong line after receiving a charge-sheet from the ICC on the charges faced by Inzamam.
