With the abnormally lazy and lethargic attitude of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in handling the cricket affairs, the future of the suspended trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Muhammad Aamir will continue to hang in the air till the next hearing on February 5 or beyond. It is surprising that after investigating a simple spot fixing issue for six months and then holding the 'court hearing at Doha (Qatar) for one week by a three man 'independent tribunal headed by Mr. Michael Beloff, those at the helm of the international cricket affairs are unable to reach a conclusion. There could not be a worse example of the ICCs incompetence than this. What will happen if the world cricket body is confronted with more grave and complicated cases? We thought that our judicial system was very slow but the handling of this case will indicate that the British tribunals move at the speed slower than the snails pace. The main objective of the ICC is to promote cricket by raising standards of the game and building up the careers of players by providing them opportunities to play top class cricket so that they turn into stars and super-stars. The case of the Pakistani trio is, however, absolutely reverse. Due to indefinite suspension from international cricket they could not pursue the game for six months with a month more added to their agony cum idleness. If even they are lucky to be acquitted honorably, with seven months absence from the game they would be neither fit physically and mentally nor possessing the requisite playing form for inclusion in the Pakistan team for the World Cup-2011 starting on February 19. Those who have no consideration for Pakistan teams requisite prowess for the forthcoming World Cup, however, feel that the ICCs Tribunal having reached the conclusion stage needs some more time to consider the type and intensity of punishment. There being no chance of these players going unpunished, the ICC wants to make this case an example for the evil minds of cricket. With a view to minimize the incidence of match fixing, spot fixing and other irregularities tarnishing both the image of cricket as well as reducing its popularity, they want the final verdict to be harsh enough to create a big impact on international cricket. The ICCs thinking on the issue notwithstanding, its slow and steady pace of handling the case has caused irreparable damage to Pakistans cricket. RAFI NASIM, Lahore, January 14.