The ICC hearing was set down for two days, with the pair hoping their suspensions are lifted and they are able to join the Pakistan team in the United Arab Emirates for the ongoing series against South Africa.

The team has lost all matches in the absence of Butt, Amir and Mohamad Asif, who is not challenging his suspension as he's banned from entering the United Arab Emirates due to a previous offense, so could not play in the series anyway.

The ICC suspended the trio after a British tabloid sting alleged money was paid for bowling no-balls at prearranged times in a test against England to fix spot betting markets. The lifting of the suspensions, should it happen, will have no bearing on the investigation into the fixing allegations which the ICC has only said is ongoing.

Butt and Aamir, along with their lawyers, refused to comment as they were rushed into ICC headquarters where the governing body's code of commission board began hearing their appeals. An ICC spokesman said the pair would be making no comments to the press and that the hearing would continue Sunday. He refused to provide any further details about the hearing.

Before departing Pakistan, Butt said that he was innocent and hoped to be cleared.

“Either you are guilty or you are not, and I am not guilty and I am sure about it,” Butt told reporters.

The 18-year-old fast bowler Aamir — in his first public comments since he was suspended on Sept. 2 — also hoped to be cleared.

“I hope to get the suspension lifted and will be part of the team,” he said.

Butt's lawyer Aftab Gul said he was confident they had a good case and would be back on the pitch soon.

“We are going for justice in their court,” Gul said in Pakistan. “We can't pre-empt what decision they give, it's their discretion, but our case is very good.

“There is no strong evidence against Salman Butt on the basis of which we can say that he should remain suspended.” Butt's other lawyer — former law minister Khalid Ranjha — said there was no evidence other than provided by the British tabloid The News of the World.

“I don't see any substantive evidence against Salman Butt,” he said. “I can read bias into this case.” Pakistan chief selector Mohsin Khan, meanwhile, has said that he would welcome back both cricketers into the team if their suspensions were lifted.

Khan told the daily Dawn that “we will seek a No Objection Certificate from the PCB to immediately consider their cases for national selection.”