Probe body warns top Pakistani players may be punished
By Shahid A.Hashmi
31 December 1998
LAHORE, Pakistan, Dec 31 (AFP) - A judicial commission Thursday warned
two former Pakistani captains Wasim Akram and Salim Malik there was
enough evidence to punish them over match fixing allegations,
officials said.
The judge called Wasim and Malik to his chamber and told them there
was evidence ``against them of involvement in match fixing and betting
so they come fully prepared in the next meeting,'' the Pakistan Cricket
Board's legal advisor Ali Sibtain Fazli said.
The commission had summoned 12 players over the allegations but Fazli
said only eight responded.
The commission issued bailable warrants against a wicketkeeper, Rashid
Latif for his failure to turn up for cross examination, Fazli said.
Rashid, who is attending to his sick father, criticised the working of
the commission in a press interview on Wednesday.
``What he has said can come under contempt of court so warrants have
been issued and Judge Malik Mohammad Qayyum was furious over his
remarks,'' Fazli told AFP.
Basit Ali and Moin Khan also failed to appear. The reason for their
absence was not immediately known. However fellow paceman Ata
ur-Rehman, who also did not show up, has said his wife is sick in
England, sources said.
Wasim, Malik, Ejaz Ahmed, Mushtaq Ahmed and Waqar Younis -- all
allegedly involved in match fixing and betting -- appeared to cross
examine their accusers.
Wasim, Malik and Ejaz were implicated in an interim report by an
earlier investigation committee in September.
The judge adjourned the hearing till January 16 after Wasim's lawyer
Hasan Tariq Rahim requested details of allegations against his client.
Current captain Aamir Sohail, paceman Aaqib Javed and former manager
Intikhab Alam, who accused team players of involvement in illegal
practices, were present in the court.
``We have also told Malik he can have a last chance to cross question
Australian players if he intends to join the commission in Melbourne,''
Fazli said.
Mark Waugh, Shane Warne and another Australian player Tim May had
alleged Malik offered them bribes to perform poorly during Australia's
1994 tour of Pakistan.
Malik was absolved of charges after the Australian trio refused to
come to Pakistan to substantiate the allegations.
Fazli, his assisstant Ali Sajjad and Registrar of the Lahore High
Court Abdus Salam Khawar, are to leave for Australia on Januray 5 to
cross examine Waugh and Warne over the allegations.
The hearing is scheduled in Melbourne on January 8, he said.
A former International player, Salim Pervez, has also claimed he gave
Malik and Mushtaq 100,000 dollars to throw a match in 1994 in Sri
Lanka.
A warrant was also issued against Pervez for not attending Thursday's
proceedings.
Paceman Ata-ur-Rehman has also alleged Wasim offered him money to bowl
poorly against New Zealand in the Christchurch one-day International
in 1994.
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