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Saif says more evidence found

Karachi, July 25: Pakistan captain Wasim Akram along with celebrated Test stars Salim Malik and Ijaz Ahmad were suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ad hoc committee with immediate effect and until further orders.

The decision came less than 24 hours after Ehtesab Bureau (Accountability Cell) made public a 10-month-old report of the defunct Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) probe committee headed by Justice Ijaz Yousuf.

The newly-appointed chairman of the ad hoc committee Mujeebur Rahman told Dawn from Islamabad that the decision has been taken in the wake of the report released by the Accountability Cell.

``The first reaction of the ad hoc committee is that Wasim Akram, Ijaz Ahmad and Salim Malik not be available for selection until the investigations are complete,'' he responded.

Pakistan face a back-breaking 1999-2000 season in which they are scheduled to play nine Tests (against Australia, Sri Lanka and the West Indies). In addition to this, they will be playing more than 25 one-day internationals which may be increased if India agrees to compete the Toronto series.

The season begins in September.

The chief of the Accountability Cell, Senator Saifur Rahman, told Dawn that there was enough evidence to frame charges against the three star cricketers.

``During investigations, we have come to know that they are living a luxurious life. I mean, they are living beyond their means,'' he remarked.

``Their known income doesn't match with their lifestyle. I don't know if they have evaded taxes but the (tax) returns prove that they can't spend what they are spending,'' Saifur Rahman, elder brother of the ad hoc committee chairman, added.

The Accountability Cell chief disclosed that a group of four people had been assigned to monitor the activities of the Pakistan players during the World Cup in England.

``We have received a report which confirms that the players were involved in immoral and unethical activities. As soon as the document is finalized, it will be presented to President Rafique Tarrar (who is also the patron of the PCB),'' Saifur Rahman stated, adding: ``The people given the job were highly competent and thorough professionals.''

Saifur Rahman emphasised that his committee had done the entire exercise on the instructions of the judicial commission. ``We were told by the judicial commission to investigate the World Cup. The report which will be submitted to the President will also be delivered to Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum,'' he said.

For Mujeebur Rahman, who took over as ad hoc committee chairman last Friday, it was the second major decision in 10 days. Two days ago, he had suspended all the associations.

But on Sunday evening, the ad hoc committee boss said his committee was still waiting for the official information about the framing of charges against Akram, Malik and Ijaz Ahmad.

``The Accountability Cell revealed the report on Saturday evening so we couldn't be informed (officially) on Sunday being a holiday. But the charges framed are enough to declare them unavailable for selection,'' he asserted.

He was hopeful that the investigations would be completed before the start of the season in September. ``But till the investigations are on, they will not be considered for selection.''

Mujeebur Rahman argued that his committee had not done anything knew by suspending the three cricketers. ``I must recall that the same was the recommendation of the PCB probe committee which had named these three players as prime suspects. I think the players should have been suspended as recommend there and then.''

The PCB probe committee, it may be mentioned, had concluded its 11-page report saying: ``On the basis of material so far collected, the committee considers very much appropriate to save the youngsters and new entrants in the game being effected further and spoiled by the soiling atmosphere if any.

``The stalwarts namely Wasim Akram, Ijaz Ahmad and Salim Malik, against whom categorical allegations have come on record, may for the time being be kept away from the Pakistan team and be not considered for selection further. The final decision against them and all other concerned may be deferred to the finalization of the inquiry and findings.''

Replying to another question, Mujeeb said five other players questioned in the probe - Moin Khan, Inzamamul Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmad - would be available for selection ``as they have been mentioned in the (PCB probe committee) report as just beneficiaries.

``The five players have not been reported as actively involved like the other three but their role will also be investigated.'' According to sources in Islamabad, the charges have been framed against the three cricketers primarily on the report of Justice Ijaz Yousuf. But the interesting point here is when the PCB headed by Khalid Mahmood refused to suspend the three cricketers last September as recommended by the probe committee, why didn't the Accountability Cell get into action then.

Sources stated that the decision to suspend the three cricketers was an effort to justify the suspension of the PCB following Pakistan's defeat in the World Cup final on June 20 at Lord's.

Mujeebur Rahman said he has invited all the 15 World Cup members to Islamabad on Monday. He said he would be meeting them to discuss the future policies.

When pointed out that the players invited include Ijaz Ahmad and Salim Malik, he replied: ``They will be coming and I would be asking them about whatever has been published. I will listen to their side of the story.''

However, he warned that he had the powers to ban the players for life. ``In accordance with the powers vested in me, I can ban the player for life,'' he said.

The powers of the PCB executive council and the general body have transferred to the ad hoc committee with the suspension of the PCB. Khawaja Ahmad Tariq Raheem, counsel of Wasim Akram, was bitter with the decision of the ad hoc committee to suspend his client.

``Does the Ehtesab Bureau act 1997 allow them to probe the players who have been bringing laurels for the country,'' he questioned. He added that the decision to suspend the three players has been taken on the report of Justice Ijaz Yousuf who was the basis of the constitution of the judicial commission of Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum.

``Justice Qayyum has not given a verdict but the players have been suspended despite promises on the floor of the assembly that nothing would be done until the judicial commission submits its report,'' he said.

He said that he would take up the matter with the judicial commission when Justice Qayyum resumes office on Aug 17.