November 22, 2006	Wednesday	Shawwal 29, 1427

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LAHORE, Nov 21: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Appellate Tribunal on Tuesday concluded its hearing of the review petitions filed by banned fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, pending the decision for next couple of days.

"As the lawyers of Shoaib and Asif have completed their arguments in the last two days, there is no need for any further hearing,” tribunal head Justice Fakharuddin G Ebrahim told reporters after another marathon four-hour on Tuesday. “The tribunal has put some questions before the lawyers for them to answer and upon receiving their replies, we will be in a position to move ahead and to announce our findings.”

Shoaib was accompanied by senior lawyer Abid Hasan Manto while Asif was flanked by Aftab Gul at the hearing.

"I expect the lawyers to send their replies in the next two days, which will enable the members of the tribunal to consider all aspects before reaching any conclusion," Fakharuddin said.

"I would like to announce the decision as soon as possible but all depends on the lawyers’ submission of replies although we have not put any binding on them for any specific date," he said.

Clarifying the Appellate Tribunal’s status, Fakharuddin said it was an independent body which will not be influenced by anything or anyone in reaching a decision.

"The tribunal is an independent body and the PCB has nothing to do with its business. The decision will also be final and the players will not have any right to file another appeal before the PCB after that," he said.

Meanwhile, the third member of the body, Dr Danish Zaheer attended the meeting through videoconference from Brunei. "The tribunal did not feel hampered by the physical absence of Danish as he remained in contact through the video arrangement and he has been asking questions to the players and their lawyers," said the former Sindh governor.

Danish had to leave for Brunei on Monday night where he is working as Director Sports Medicines. "Danish has an important assignment in Brunei, therefore, he had to leave but he had made all the arrangements for his availability through technology."

Fakharuddin, however, remained reluctant to discuss the written report of Mark Gay, the London-based sports lawyer who has been appointed by the PCB to assist the tribunal.