LAHORE: Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan has joined the legal team that will represent Pakistan’s suspended former Test captain Salman Butt in the spot-fixing case.
Ahsan, one of the most sought after lawyers in Pakistan, will represent Butt in the ICC Code of Conduct Commission hearing, scheduled in Doha from January 6 to 11. “Aitzaz Ahsan has joined the team as Khalid Ranjha will not be able to go to Doha,” Aftab Gul, one of Butt’s lawyers said. He said Butt had also added another lawyer Shahid Saeed on his legal team.
This brings the total number of lawyers representing and helping the suspended player prepare for his hearing to four. When asked about the recent statement by ICC chief Haroon Lorgat that ICC has a solid case against the three suspended Pakistani players, Gul declined to say much.
“I think Khalid Ranjha has made it clear that Lorgat should not be making such statements as it gives the impression that he is trying to pressurise the judges,” Gul said. Sources said Lorgat’s statement has irked the Pakistani lawyers.
“It has been decided that a letter will be sent to the head of the commission, Michael Beloff, making it clear that such statements from the ICC chief executive appear to be an attempt to influence the hearing,” one source said.
