On January 10, the ICC Tribunal meeting in Doha, announced that, at 11 am on January 11, it will give its verdict on the match-fixing case against three Pakistani cricketers. That verdict was postponed repeatedly on January 11. On January 12, the tribunal finally announced that the verdict will be delivered on February 5.
ICC Tribunal chief Beloff said that the tribunal has been conscious of the importance of the case proceedings to the players and to the wider world of cricket, and, therefore, will continue its deliberations until February 5; till then the players will remain suspended.
The players were acquitted of the charges relating to the Oval Test, except for one against Salman Butt. What prevented the pronouncement of the final verdict were the charges relating to the Lord's Test. Isn't it strange that at the eleventh hour, the tribunal felt it needed to re-examine virtually half the evidence?
After a hearing that lasted over 45 hours spread over 6 days during which the tribunal heard oral testimony and tapes, watched video recordings, and listened to forensic submissions, and the lawyers for all parties acknowledged having "had a fair opportunity to present their cases," postponement of the verdict appears mysterious.
Postponing the verdict under these circumstances seems a ploy to ensure that the three accused key Pakistani players don't play for Pakistan in the World Cup that begins on February 19.It is such mysteries that place a question mark on the ICC and its tribunal's integrity, and lends credence to accusations of its being partial.
How could a verdict that seemed so close move so far away? Apparently, the tribunal sought compromises from the Pakistani players that they refused because the available evidence didn't justify them. Extending the tribunal's deliberations until February 5 will give time to the tribunal to dig up (or manufacture?) the evidence it needs to punish the Pakistani players. Only an ICC under Sharad Pawar (an Asian) can survive as a controlling authority with this doubtful character.