Malik's ban appeal adjourned

Saleem Malik's appeal against a life ban for match-fixing was adjourned after the civil court judge hearing the case in Lahore did not turn up. Malik, the former Pakistan captain, was banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board in 2001 on the recommendation of an inquiry commission led by Justice Quyyum.

"The judge was busy elsewhere and the hearing could not be held. But we have prepared a strong case against the life ban," Shahid Karim, Malik's lawyer, told PTI.

After his initial appeal to the Lahore High Court was rejected in 2001, Malik approached the Supreme Court, a process which took seven years. The apex court agreed to hear the appeal recently and, on May 22, decided it should be heard before a lower court.