Pakistan court seeks explanation on Malik ban
by Cricket Archive Staff Reporter
| Player: | Saleem Malik, M Azharuddin, SK Warne, TBA May, ME Waugh, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mushtaq Ahmed, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar, Akram Raza, AK Sharma, WJ Cronje |
DateLine: 3rd February 2007
Pakistan's Supreme Court wants an explanation from cricket authorities
about a life ban on former captain Salim Malik for his alleged
involvement in match-fixing, an official said Thursday.
The court is hearing an appeal by 43-year-old Malik, who now lives a
secluded life in Lahore, against the ban imposed by the Pakistan
Cricket Board (PCB) in May 2000. Lower courts have rejected the case.
"The PCB should explain on what grounds Malik was banned for life. In
case Malik wins the case he can file for damages," said the court in
its remarks, quoted by assistant registrar Basheer Janjoa. "Courts give
a period of life sentences and the PCB must tell under which law Malik
is banned from playing cricket for all his life."
The court adjourned the hearing until Friday at the request of the
PCB's lawyer, official said.
Malik was banned by a PCB inquiry headed by a high court judge after
Australian players Shane Warne, Tim May and Mark Waugh alleged that he
offered them bribes to underperform on Australia's tour of Pakistan in
1994. He was also barred from holding any office and from involvement
in any cricket-related activity.
The Qayyum inquiry also fined current Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq,
Pakistan's assistant coach Mushtaq Ahmed, and now retired quartet of
Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar and Akram Raza.
Malik's name also featured in an Indian match-fixing inquiry which led
to life bans on former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay
Sharma, and he was mentioned by late South African captain Hansie
Cronje in another probe.
In October India pardoned Azharuddin.
"I have been fighting this case for seven years now and since the
Indian board had promised to lift Azhar's name I too had hoped the PCB
would lift my ban," Malik had said last year.
Malik played 103 Tests and 263 one-day internationals for Pakistan
between 1981 and 1999. He also led Pakistan in 12 Tests and 34 one-day
internationals, a period during which he was alleged to have
involvement in match-fixing.
In 1995 Malik was cleared of the allegations by a one-judge commission
on the grounds of lack of evidence.
