Match-fixing judge surprised at Mushtaq's appointment

Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum has queried Mushtaq's appointment © Cricinfo Ltd Enlarge

Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum, the retired Pakistan high court judge who headed the inquiry into match-fixing, has expressed his surprise at the appointment of Mushtaq Ahmed as Pakistan's assistant coach for the Champions Trophy starting next month.

Mushtaq was one of the players implicated in Qayyum's report in 2000, in which he was fined, along with team-mates Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Aqib Javed, while Salim Malik and Ata-ur-Rahman were handed life bans from the game.

"I had recommended in the report that Wasim Akram and Mushtaq should be kept under observation," Qayyum told Reuters. "I had recommended they should not be appointed to any position of authority or responsibility."

The Pakistan Cricket Board defended its decision to appoint Mushtaq, brushing aside the match-fixing allegations, saying it was happy with his conduct over the last few years. "The match-fixing issue is an old episode," said Abbas Zaidi, the PCB director. "As it is, Mushtaq is there for just one tournament and is not an active a member of the playing squad."

Mushtaq had earlier served as a bowling consultant during Pakistan's last home series against England and India. He wasn't selected in Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad, despite being the leading wicket-taker in the English County Championship where he is playing for Sussex.