Spot-fixing: Pak trio to learn fate today

The three Pakistan cricketers at the centre of a corruption scandal are expected to learn their fate on Tuesday when an independent hearing concludes in Doha.

Former Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Muhammad Amir and Mohammad Asif face lengthy bans if they are found guilty of spot-fixing during Pakistan's Test series in England last year.

A British Sunday newspaper report alleged that they had taken bribes to arrange for deliberate no-balls to be delivered at pre-agreed times in the fourth Test at Lord's.

All three were suspended in September by the International Cricket Council (ICC) which has convened a three-man tribunal chaired by British lawyer Michael Beloff.

The three players, none of whom is being backed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), have all denied any involvement in spot-fixing.

Sources in Pakistan said Butt faced the heaviest ban while Amir and Asif have argued that they were following instructions because they feared they would otherwise be dropped.

Pakistan one-day captain Shahid Afridi and head coach Waqar Younis have been summoned as witnesses at the tribunal.