Amir's lawyer requests deferred verdict

Mohammad Amir's legal counsel has requested the ICC's three-man tribunal examining the charges of spot-fixing to take more time to study the case before announcing its verdict. The closing statements of the six-day hearing were presented on Tuesday morning and while the verdict was expected later in the day, Amir's laywer Shahid Karim was hoping for a deferment.

"We have requested the judges to look at the case carefully and properly and with due consideration before they announce the verdict," Karim told Geo TV. "This is up to them, and if they have looked at it with thought and consideration, then after we finish they'll tell us if the verdict is announced today or at a later date.

"I am satisfied that the hearing has been very good and impartial, and I can say from our point of view at least we are hopeful. The onus is now on the judges."

Amir, who was alleged to have bowled no-balls to order in the Lord's Test, was philosophical. "When the nation's prayers are with you, you don't feel so scared and there is hope. It's been difficult to sleep over the last few nights but my eyes are open now and when good news comes I will hopefully be able to close them properly.

"We are satisfied with how things have gone, and my family's prayers are also with me. I'm feeling good and am hoping for some good news."