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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided in principle to take legal action against individuals and newspapers who accuse the national team players without evidence.

The chairman of the PCB Lt Gen Tauqir Zia said from Rawalpindi that he has already started discussions with the law ministry.

"We are pursuing the matter on the recommendation of Justice Karamat Bhandari who has suggested that any individual or newspaper failing to substantiate the allegations be taken to the court of law. "I have an appointment with Federal Law Minister Khalid Ranjha over the weekend," Tauqir said.

Bhandari investigated charges of foul-play in the 1999 World Cup. But the Lahore High Court judge exonerated all the players for the lack of evidence.

Majid Khan, former chief executive, Sarfraz Nawaz, Dr Ali Bacher and a few newspapers had accused the players of betting and match-fixing. But none could provide evidence to back their claims.

When Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum investigated the charges in 1998-99, some of the current and recent past cricketers also pointed figures at their colleagues. But failed to prove their allegations.

"I have already taken advice from President Gen Pervez Musharraf on the issue and he has given thumbs-up. The commission has directed us to warn everybody of dire consequences in case they fail to substantiate the allegations in future," Tauqir said. He added: "We have given shut-up call to everyone after getting the allegations properly probed. Now anyone who comes up, will have to be crystal clear in his mind that no-nonsense would be tolerated. "Prove the allegations or keep shut, its as simple as that."

Tauqir said Justice Bhandari has also suggested that all the cricketers who have been accused by anyone, should take them to court and demand compensation. "The concerned players have been communicated of this development. "But its entirely upto the player if he is interested in suing the individual who has maligned his reputation."

Former captain Wasim Akram, who was fined by Qayyum, has been the main target of accusers, including team-mates and journalists.

© Dawn