Shahid Afridi, Waqar Younis, spot-fixing scandal, match-fixing, ICC tribunal
Afridi was due to return home late Saturday after captaining Pakistan in three Twenty20 matches in New Zealand, while Waqar is with the team which is due to play the first of two Tests against New Zealand from January 7. -Photo by AP

KARACHI: Pakistan cricket chiefs said on Saturday they would allow one-day captain Shahid Afridi and coach Waqar Younis to appear at a hearing into spot-fixing allegations in Doha during the coming week.

The decision was taken after the International Cricket Council requested the appearance of the two men at the hearing.

“The ICC has requested the PCB to direct Afridi and Waqar to appear before the ICC anti-corruption tribunal to determine the guilt or otherwise of the three players who have been accused of serious violations,” a Pakistan Cricket Board press release said.

The three players -- Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer -- were suspended by the ICC in September on spot-fixing charges relating to the Lord's Test against England a month earlier.

The trio are to appear before the tribunal in Doha from January 6-11.

The statement said the PCB had decided to allow Afridi and Waqar to appear as witnesses either in person or through a teleconference depending on their convenience and subject to their professional commitments.

“The PCB is also keen to assist the ICC anti-corruption tribunal in determining in a fair and just manner the truth behind the serious allegations being made against the three Pakistan players,” the release added.

Afridi was due to return home late Saturday after captaining Pakistan in three Twenty20 matches in New Zealand, while Waqar is with the team which is due to play the first of two Tests against New Zealand from January 7.

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