KARACHI: The legal team that will represent Pakistan's suspended former Test captain Salman Butt in the spot-fixing case continues to grow with one of the country's most prominent lawyers Aitzaz Ahsan now joining his defence. Ahsan, who is one of the most sought after lawyers in Pakistan, will represent Butt in the International Cricket Council Code of Conduct Commission hearing scheduled in Doha from January 6 to 11.
"Aitzaz Ahsan has joined the team as Khalid Ranjha will not be able to go to Doha," Aftab Gul one of Butt's lawyers said.
He said Butt had also added another lawyer Shahid Saeed on his legal team.
This brings the total number of lawyers representing and helping the suspended player prepare for his hearing to four.
When asked about the statement of ICC chief executive, Haroon Lorgat that the world body has a solid case against the three suspended Pakistani players in the spot fixing case and no leniency would be shown to them, Gul declined to say much.
"I think Khalid Ranjha has made it clear that Lorgat should not be making such statements as it gives the impression he is trying to pressurise the hearing. But right now we first have to decide who will be the official spokesman for the legal team of Butt," Gul said.
Sources said Lorgat's statement has irked the Pakistani lawyers.
"It has been discussed to send a letter to the head of the commission, Michael Beloff making it clear to him that such statements from the ICC chief executive appeared to be an attempt to influence the hearing," one source said.
Relations between the Pakistani lawyers and the ICC have been strained particularly after statements made by the players and their lawyers on the case and after the leakage of videos of Mazhar Majeed in the Pakistani media.
The ICC through Beloff directed the lawyers to return all the documentation and material given to them with regards to the case.
