Players turn down request for PCB observer

A request by the PCB to have an observer present at the spot-fixing hearing currently underway in Doha, Qatar, was turned down by two of the three players defending themselves against the ICC's charges, reaffirming the distance that has grown between the players and their former employers.

The code of conduct under which the ICC hearing is held allows for such a provision but leaves the final choice to the discretion of the tribunal. The relevant portion of article 5.1.8 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code states, "At the discretion of the Anti-corruption tribunal, a representative of the Player's or Player's support personnel's relevant National Cricket Federation may also attend any such hearing (but strictly as an observer only and with no right to be heard)."

ESPNcricinfo understands the request was made ahead of the hearing that began on Thursday. The request was considered by Michael Beloff QC, the chairman of the tribunal and the ICC's code of conduct commissioner, and discussed with other members of the tribunal as well as the players and their lawyers. Though the final decision remains with the tribunal, in this case it appears that the players' objections have been heeded. Had it been accepted, the PCB would have sent a legal representative.

The reason behind the PCB's request appears to have been nothing more than wanting a representative present at such a significant trial involving players who have been such an important part of the national team until recently.

"When the request was made for Shahid Afridi and Waqar Younis [who will appear as witnesses for the ICC] we felt there should be a board man there too because they are our players in that sense and to keep an eye on the proceedings to ensure justice is done," a board source told ESPNcricinfo.

The refusal might not ultimately be a bad thing, as one source pointed out. "Whoever went would be under a bit of tension in the sense of whether they should support the players or the system so in that sense it isn't a bad development ultimately."

When the scandal first broke in England last summer, the PCB as well as the Pakistani High Commission in London assumed broadly supportive stances. The board did not suspend the players until the ICC officially charged and suspended them, even offering initial legal representation in their interactions with Scotland Yard.

But since then, at the insistence of an ICC concerned that its members might be seen as supporting players potentially facing spot-fixing charges, the board has stepped back. The players' central contracts have been suspended, they have not been allowed to practice at board facilities and no legal or financial assistance has been offered. On at least a couple of occasions, Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir have indicated public bewilderment at how the board has left them to fend for themselves.

Given that one player is believed to have not raised an objection the move also points to a growing individuality in the players' approach to their defence. The trio have been staying separately in Doha and arrived and left separately on the first day of the hearing.