Government should hold investigations: Hasib (30 Mar 1997)

30 March 1997

Government should hold investigations: Hasib

By Our Sports Reporter

KARACHI, March 29: Former Chairman of Selectors Hasib Ahsan has urged the government to come into action and order an inquiry against the betting and match fixing allegations levelled by Aamir Sohail. "A player has put his career at stake. Two years ago, Rashid Latif and Basit Ali had levelled similar accusations. The three players have been members of the team and their knowledge or information is second to none," Hasib Ahsan said on Saturday.

"It's time that the government should take over the case because the PCB has been badly failed in handling ticklish issues like this. In fact, the PCB is as undisciplined as the players," remarked Hasib Ahsan. Ahsan said serious allegations levelled by Aamir Sohail should be thoroughly investigated and if found that there was some truth in the charges, the involved players should be taken to task. "They should be put on Exit Control List and their bank accounts should be sealed. "However, if Aamir Sohail failed to prove the allegations, he should be cut to size for maligning the country," Ahsan said. Hasib Ahsan was of the view that when Rashid and Basit had accused the same set of players after the African safari, they were not given proper chance to prove. "A judicial inquiry was conducted but that was against the allegations levelled by the Australian players and not against the accusations made by the two players who were then one of the finest players in the team."

Ahsan emphasised that Javed Burki upon his return from Zimbabwe and London told the Press that there was enough evidence available against the players for their involvement in betting and match fixing. "But surprisingly nothing came out later despite his claims that the guilty will be dealt with an iron hand.

"So much so, Javed Burki's report was never submitted to Fakhruddin G Ebraheem who was the investigating officer in 1995. Burki was the ad hoc Committee Chairman then and his every statement carried weight. Why Burki didn't testify before the former Supreme Court Judge? Why didn't Burki submit the documents and evidences he gathered from Zimbabwe which he also discussed with ICC officials on his way back from Africa." "It is the result of that cover-up which was provided to the players that Pakistan find itself on this sticky wicket."

Ahsan suggested that the government can also hire the services of former cricketers who have never been associated with cricket board and their past record is crystal clear. "People and followers of the game have always thrown their weight behind cricketers who are honest and respected. But as far as the cricket board is concerned, the enthusiasts have lost all their faith and regard for it because of repeated allegations of players involvement in betting and match fixing and its (PCB) attitude toward curbing this indiscipline."

However, Hasib Ahsan expressed his surprise that Aamir Sohail never mentioned anything like this when he was a member of the team. "Why did he not submit anything substantial then," asked the former Chief Selector and a crafty off-spinner of his days.

Ahsan added that Aamir Sohail accused Wasim Akram of withdrawing from the World Cup semi-final on the last minute. "But why he didn't come up with his side of story then? "It looks quite a strange time for Aamir Sohail to make these remarks when he is out of the team," wondered Ahsan.

Source:: Dawn (https://xiber.com/dawn/)