Pakistan Cricket hearing adjourned as players failed to appear (January 16 1999)

January 16 1999

Pakistan Cricket hearing adjourned as players failed to appear

AFP

LAHORE, Jan 16 (AFP) - A judicial commission inquiring into the controversy of match-fixing and betting in Pakistan cricket adjorned a crucial hearing Saturday after skipper Wasim Akram and several other accused failed to reach Lahore, sources said.

Lahore High Court judge, Malik Mohammad Qayyum, who is heading the commission, said despite the adjournment he would submit his report on January 27, sources said.

Saturday's hearing was considered vital as Wasim, Salim Malik, Mushtaq Ahmed, Waqar Younis, Ejaz Ahmed and Moin Khan -- accused of involvement in match fixing and betting -- were to face their accusers.

"Wasim sent a message he was unable to appear because his flight from Karachi was cancelled," Pakistan Cricket Board legal adviser Ali Sibtain Fazli told AFP.

Leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed managed to reach the court.

Aamir Sohail and Rashid Latif, who claim their fellow players were involved in betting, arrived despite family problems. Former Pakistani cricketer turned bookie Salim Pervez, former manager Intikhab Alam and Aaqib Javed -- all accusers -- also reached the court.

Wasim and other five accused players were to embark on an Indian tour with Pakistan team on January 21 and would miss the next hearing scheduled for January 25. The commission set up by Pakistan Government in September has head testimony from nearly 50 people.