Trio gives conflicting statements

DOHA: The differences among the three Pakistani cricketers emerged Monday during hearing of spot fixing case judgement in which expected today.

There seems to be a split between the three Pakistan cricketers accused of spot fixing during a tour of England, international media reported.

Pacer Mohammad Asif, captain Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir have been cross-examined by ICC lawyer Jonathan Taylor in front of the ICC anti-corruption tribunal in Doha.

"Asif denies he was part of a deliberate plot to bowl no-balls and says he only over-stepped because Butt told him to bowl a faster delivery," a New Zealand paper reported.

The three-man tribunal could deliver its findings tonight, although it is possible any decision could drag into Wednesday evening.

A UK based international media outlet said: "Mohammad Asif is understood to have told the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption tribunal in Doha on Monday that the evidence heard over the last five days suggests that there was corruption during the fourth Test against England at Lord's last August".

Asif was the last of the three players to face cross-examination from the ICC's lawyer Jonathan Taylor and the panel on Monday.

Beloff lead tribunal is extremely unlikely to announce punishments against the players because the players' lawyers want to see a reasoned judgment from the tribunal and there is thought to be insufficient time to produce one.