Top Pakistani cricketers face accusers before probe body

Wasim, batsman Salim Malik and leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed are the prime suspects in the investigation into allegations of match fixing and betting, they said.

Pacer Waqar Younis, batsman Ejaz Ahmed and wicketkeeper Moin Khan will also appear when the judicial commission headed by High Court Judge Malik Mohammad Qayyum meets, but they face minor charges, the sources said.

Wasim has been appointed captain for Pakistan's tour to India starting next week but before taking up his duties he will face his former colleagues who have accused him.

Before adjourning last week the commission gave the six accused players a charge sheet and ``now we will try to wrap up the inquiry in two days,'' PCB legal adviser Ali Sibtain Fazli told AFP.

Former paceman Ata-ur-Rehman submitted a written affidavit to the commission in September last year alleging Wasim offered him 200,000 rupees (4,000 dollars) to bowl poorly during a one-day match in New Zealand five years ago.

Malik and Mushtaq were accused of accepting 100,000 dollars each from a bookie, Salim Pervez, to fix a one-day match in Sri Lanka in 1994.

Australian players Mark Waugh, Shane Warne and Tim May in 1994 also claimed Malik offered them bribes to perform poorly during the Australian team's tour to Pakistan.

The trio repeated their allegations against Malik before the judicial commission at a hearing held in Melbourne last week.

Former Pakistan captains Aamir Sohail and Rashid Latif -- both dropped from the India-bound squad -- will appear. Both made serious allegations of fellow players' involvement in betting.

``Yes, I will definitely go there and face questions. I am fully prepared,'' Aamer said. Ata will not appear as he is in England.

``We have been trying to make contacts with Ata but if he doesn't come we will arrange for a telephone call and take his anwers,'' Fazli said.

``I will aslo seek permission from the judge to question the trio in the light of some more evidence we have gathered recently,'' Fazli added.

Pakistan captain Wasim was confident he would be exonerated and showed his confidence over the inquiry.

``I think somebody has used Ata against me and with his changed versions every time he lost his credibility,'' he told AFP.

Justice Qayyum is likely to submit his report before January 31 and is confident his reccomendations will be implemented.

The commission was set up by the Pakistan government in September after two after two other probe committees were found ineffective.