Amir optimistic ahead of cricket spot-fixing ruling

One of the three Pakistani players facing possible life bans for alleged match fixing said the nation's prayers are with him and that he was "hoping for some good news" ahead of a verdict expected later Tuesday.

Mohammad Amir made the comments as he entered a Doha hearing Tuesday where he, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif are expected to hear the ruling in the coming hours. The three person-tribunal is led by Michael Beloff, chief of the International Cricket Council's code of conduct commission. It will rule on the charges but may withhold a sentence until a later date.

The trio, who have said they are innocent, were charged in September by the ICC with several corruption charges stemming from allegations they accepted payments for bowling no-balls at prearranged times in a test against England in August at Lord's.

"When the nation's prayers are with you, you don't feel so scared and there is hope," Amir told reporters waiting outside an office tower in Doha.

"It's been difficult to sleep over the last few nights. But my eyes are open now and, when good news comes, I will, hopefully, be able to close them properly.

"We are satisfied with how things have gone, and my family's prayers are also with me. I'm feeling good and am hoping for some good news."

Amir's lawyer Shahid Karim told Geo TV he was hoping for a positive verdict.

"I am satisfied that the hearing has been very good and impartial and I can say from our point of view at least we are hopeful," he said. "The onus is now on the judges."