Waqar, Afridi to testify before ICC tribunal

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LAHORE – Pakistan one-day captain Shahid Afridi and head coach Waqar Younis will testify before the International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption tribunal in Doha next week. There decision to testify before the ICC tribunal came after Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi met PCB chairman Ijaz Butt on Monday morning.
It was learnt that statements from Waqar and Afridi could deal a serious blow to Salman Butt’s case. “I had a very positive meeting with the chairman and I hope the team would transform into a winning combination before the World Cup,” he said.
It has been learnt that the PCB chairman, as asked by the ICC to ensure their appearance before the tribunal, directed Afridi and Waqar to testify against three tainted players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir.
Salman and Aamir on Monday left for Doha to appear before the tribunal hearing their case against the ICC-imposed suspension over spot-fixing. Meanwhile, Shahid Afridi discussed the list of probables for the 2011 World Cup with PCB chief Ijaz Butt. It has been learnt that the chairman has made it clear to the captain that Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal would not be part of the team for the World Cup.
Afridi had asked for the inclusion of these two seniors in the team for such a big event. He was of the view that experience was required to handle the pressure the World Cup unfolds in crucial matches.
The chairman also gave the captain the names of probable players who would replace the seniors in the 30-member list. He also made it clear to Afridi that the PCB had approached the ICC for clearance of these players and was waiting for the reply. However, he said that the team would be announced today (Tuesday) or tomorrow (Wednesday).
Pakistan is without its six key players including Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Danish Kaneria, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir. Yasir Hameed has though apologised but he is a victim of his own follies.
The spot-fixing fiasco has left Pakistan cricket high and dry. It is widely believed that the delay in announcing the squad was mainly because these three players have also not yet been cleared by the ICC.
In the meeting, Afridi was also told about the ICC’s directions for him and Waqar to appear before the tribunal. Apart from this, Afridi’s statement for hearing in spot fixing case was also under discussion. The hearing will be held on January 6. Apart from Afridi and Waqar, former security manager Major (r) Javed Najam will also appear at the hearing.
Afridi will not be appearing before the tribunal and most likely he will record his statement in a teleconference. “I would like to go to Doha to appear before the tribunal but unfortunately, I would not be able to go there due to other engagements,” said Afridi. “I recorded my statement during the series against South Africa in the UAE and it was not against any player,” he added.