Malik expects to face sledging (31 Oct 95)

KARACHI, Pakistan (Oct 30, 1995 - 17:48 EST) - Pakistan`s former captain Salim Malik said on Monday he expected to face "sledging" in Australia in the wake of the bribery claims controversy.

Malik, cleared nine days ago of allegations he offered bribes to three Australians to play poorly in Pakistan last year, was speaking as he left to join his team mates on their tour of Australia.

He told reporters he could not predict what reception he would get in Australia, but said he was anticipating hostile comments on the field.

"When I visited Australia for the first time many years ago I came across the word "sledging" and experienced some of it."

Malik said he felt as if he were making his test debut, but rejected the idea that he was under pressure.

"No, I am not," he said just before boarding a flight to Perth. "The only pressure or worry...is that I must get my batting form as quickly as possible. I have not played even domestic cricket and I am short of match practice."

Malik, who left after the main party because he was awaiting a visa, has been out of action since being ousted from the captaincy and suspended by Pakistan`s cricket authorities in March, pending bribery investigations.

Australian test trio Shane Warne, Tim May and Mark Waugh had alleged Malik offered them bribes to play poorly on their team`s 1994 tour of Pakistan.

Malik, who denied their charges, said he was going to Australia with the sole aim of playing cricket. As far as he was concerned, the bribery scandal was closed after the inquiry set up by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) exonerated him.

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) has criticized the game`s ruling body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), for not carrying out its own investigation into the allegations against Malik.

The ICC, which is based at Lord`s, will not comment for a week on Australia`s criticism.

It said on Monday that only chief executive David Richards, currently in America, was authorized to speak to the media and he would not be in his office until next Monday.

Malik added: "Now the matter is between the two boards (PCB and ACB) and I would not offer any comment on any aspect of the incident here in Pakistan or anywhere else."

PCB chief executive Arif Ali Abbasi said on Monday Malik had not been forbidden to speak to the media about cricket but should not speak on policy matters.

Asked which category the bribery allegations fell in, Abbasi said: "Naturally in policy matters."

Malik left for Australia with two other players still to join the tour party -- opener Saeed Anwar, who is unwell, and medium pacer Mohammed Akram, whose father is seriously ill.

Pakistan, who have three tests in Australia, are currently playing a four-day match against Western Australia.