Butt, Amir leave for ICC hearing

LAHORE: Suspended Pakistani cricketers, Muhammad Amir and Salman Butt, have left for Dubai where they are due to appear before an ICC tribunal in connection with spot-fixing allegations. The duo were suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in September for their alleged involvement in spot-fixing and violating ICC's anti-corruption code. Pacer Muhammad Asif, who was also provisionally suspended by the ICC, has withdrawn his appeal against the suspension and will not be attending the hearing. Speaking to newsmen at Lahore airport today (Friday), Butt maintained he is innocent. “My lawyers have prepared well for the case. I will be cleared of spot-fixing charges very soon,” he said. Butt’s counsels, Aftab Gul and Khalid Ranjha, hoped that the decision would come in favour of the suspended cricketer. Muhammad Amir also expressed hope that he would soon make a comeback to the national