Ban Lifted From Qasim Umer (20 Dec 1995)

Ban lifted from Qasim Umer

Samiul Hasan

KARACHI, Dec. 20

The seven-year ban imposed on former Test batsman Qasim Umer in 1985 has been lifted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), well informed sources said.

The decision was taken by the four-member Disciplinary Committee which met under the Chairmanship of Nasimul Ghani. The Disciplinary Committee, which also comprise Nusrat Azeem, Ejaz Yousuf and Amir Hayat Rokhri, has recommended to the PCB to allow Umer to resume cricket with immediate effect.

It has also advised the board that Umer could be employed by any department if they wanted his services as he would be getting a clearance letter with regard to this decision.

Qasim Umer, the Kenya-born right-handed dashing batsman, was banned by the board led by Lt Gen Safdar Butt after he alleged that leading Pakistan cricketers, including Imran Khan, were smuggling drugs in their cricket gears.

He had made these remarks in an interview to the government-run agency after the team returned from the tour of Australia.

Similar charges were levelled against Imran Khan by Younis Ahmad after the team returned from the historic tour of India where it won the Bangalore Test. However, no disciplinary action was taken against the left-hander.

Umer, who was then 28, not only lost cricket at the prime of his career, he was also sacked on disciplinary grounds by his organisation, Muslim Commercial Bank (MCB) which, according to the batsman, have not cleared his dues yet.

Sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that although the ban had to expire in 1992, the then Secretary of the BCCP, Shahid Rafi, did not lift it. The reason for this is best known to Mr Rafi .

The sources admitted that Qasim Umer appealed to the cricket board on not lesser than half a dozen occasions through letters but all his applications were put in a pending file. Qasim Umer also appealed twice to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) which forwarded his request to the Disciplinary Committee to action.

Though the ban has been lifted now, it would be anybody s guess whether Qasim Umer would ever return to the arena at the age of 38. However, the only benefit from the lifting of the ban will be that he will return to Pakistan, settle here and may find a honourable job for his livelihood.

Source :: Dawn Wire Service