Pakistan: Twelve cricketers summoned for examination (29 December 1998)

29 December 1998

Pakistan: Twelve cricketers summoned for examination

By Samiul Hasan

KARACHI, Dec 28: The judicial commission, investigating the charges of betting and match-fixing in Pakistan cricket, has issued summons to 12 cricketers, official said.

The summons were issued on Monday in which the players were directed to appear before Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum on Thursday at 10:00 a.m.

Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mushtaq Ahmad, Salim Malik, Ijaz Ahmad, Moin Khan, Aamir Sohail, Ata-ur-Rahman, Rashid Latif, Basit Ali, Intikhab Alam (former team manager) and Salim Pervaiz (former Pakistan international and alleged bookie).

Ali Sibtain Fazli, PCB legal advisor, said from Lahore that the 12 players have been summoned for cross-examination.

"Amongst the 12 players, six have accused the remaining six. Justice demands that the accused is awarded an opportunity to cross-examine his accuser. And Justice Qayyum doesn't want to deny anyone of that right," Fazli said.

The six players directly accused are: Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mushtaq Ahmad, Salim Malik, Ijaz Ahmad and Moin Khan. The six accusers are Rashid Latif, Intikhab Alam, Basit Ali, Ata-ur-Rahman, Aamir Sohail and Salim Pervaiz.

Fazli said the cross-examination would be a court hearing open to the public as most of the evidences have now become public.

Fazli said the procedure of the cross-examination would be simple. "The recorded evidence would be read out and the player making that accusation would be in one box while the accused would be in the other. The accuser will then have the right to probe his accuser," said Fazli.

Fazli said there have been direct evidences against Wasim Akram, Salim Malik and Mushtaq Ahmad. "Wasim (Akram) has been accused by Ata-ur-Rahman while Salim Pervaiz has accused Salim (Malik) and Mushtaq (Ahmad)

"Although Moin Khan was not summoned to record his evidence, he has been called to question about anything because something has come against him.

"Rashid Latif, Basit Ali and Aamir Sohail have also said something which can be considered direct evidence," said Fazli.

The PCB legal advisor said the players were being called on Thursday so that that phase was completed before the commission leaves for Melbourne, Australia, on Jan 5 to re-examine Shane Warne and Mark Waugh.

"Instead of starting that phase after the Australian trip which might have cost us precious time, we decided to fix it when we and the players have time to make themselves available," said Fazli.

Fazli stated that if required, the former officials, who have given evidence before the judicial commission, would be called again.

Fazli said he had a discussion with Justice Qayyum on Monday. "The honourable judge is confident that he would be finalizing and submitting his report with recommendations to President Rafiq Tarrar by mid-January.

"The remaining portion of Australians re-examinations would be added immediately after we return from Melbourne," said the PCB legal advisor.

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