Justice Ebraheem criticises PCB action against players

Karachi, Aug 1: Former Supreme Court judge, Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G. Ebraheem, on Tuesday criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for taking action against eight top players primarily on a recommendatory report.

He also called for an inquiry into the mishandling of the publication of Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum Commission report and stressed that concerned authorities should be taken to task for allowing the release of the document which tarnished the image of the country and dmaged the reputation of the cricketers.

He was also critical of Justice Qayyum's recommendations arguing that he had suggested penalties against the players despite admitting in his report on several occasions that no evidence had been found against them.

The former Governor of Sindh, speaking at a seminar on betting and match-fixing organized by Helpline Trust, based his opinion on the extracts from Justice Qayyum Commission report.

"The report is unbelievable," he said. "In paragraphs number 51, 52 and 53, the honourable Judge declares Salim Malik `not guilty' and still recommends life ban and a cash penalty of Rs one million.

"Wasim Akram has been declared `not guilty' on three charges and is still fined and recommended to be removed from captaincy and not to be given any post. Similarly, all the players have been penalized and censored despite the judge admitting that there was no evidence.

"How can the players be fined or banned on suspicion?" he said.

Ebraheem, who exonerated Salim Malik of all charges when he investigated the case in 1995, emphasised no action can be taken on recommendations. He pointed out that the objective of the exercise was to find the problem and then carry out indepth investigations.

"Concerned people were supposed to read it. But no one did the drill and instead publicized the report. The premature release of the report has done tremendous harm which cannot be repaired."

"General (Tauqir Zia), read the report (again) and conduct inquiry," he said, adding: "I feel strongly against the report because I feel strongly for my artists which in this particular case are the players."

General Tauqir Zia defended the release of the report saying it had been cleared by all the concerned authorities. He said President of Pakistan and Chief Executive also read the report before allowing it to be made public.

The general contested Ebraheem's views on the report saying he had not quoted the relevant portions. "The introduction of Justice Qayyum's report says it all. I mean, we have to read the introduction to judge his obversations/recommendations are correct."

The general took a leaf out of history and quoted three incidents of match-fixing with the latest being in the English County Championship match between Essex and Lancashire in 1991. He said the result of the match was manufactured so that Essex would secure 13 points which they got in the end.

He said betting and match-fixing were two separate things. He said betting is legal in most of the countries and in Pakistan people place bets on horse racing. "But match-fixing is a crime because it is done for financial gains.

"The crux of match-fixing is dominating the sport and overtaking the joy of the game. Almost every country is plagued with this problem. It cannot be eliminated but can be controlled."

Arif Abbasi, former chief executive of the PCB, said it was amazing occurrence in the 1999 World Cup that Australia and South Africa, harbouring corrupt cricketers, played a match which can also be scrutinized. "A player having hit three fours and a six fails to score a run in three balls before running out his partner."

Senior journalist Omar Kuerishi also spoke on the occasion.

Unfortunately, the audience were not given an opportunity to question the speakers as the objective of the seminar which was how to control match-fixing was never discussed by the speakers.

The subject of match-fixing and betting in cricket which was the title of the seminar was only marginally discussed as some of the speakers could not keep their focus straight on the topic and diverted to irrelevent points.