Samiul Hasan: PCB probe committee records Ata's statement (9 May 1998)

Saturday, May 09, 1998

PCB probe committee records Ata's statement

By Samiul Hasan

KARACHI, May 8: Discarded Test pacer Ataur Rahman has recorded his statement with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) probe committee against betting and match-fixing, probe committee chairman Justice Ijaz Yousuf confirmed on Friday.

"We have recorded the statement of Ataur Rahman. He was thoroughly examined," Justice Ijaz Yousuf said from Quetta. He, however, refused to give details.

"He (Ata) has not submitted the affidavit but has agreed to render it shortly," he added.

Ataur Rahman, reportedly, claimed in an affidavit that he was offered (by a leading cricketer) a handsome amount of money to bowl badly in a one-day game against New Zealand.

Justice Ijaz Yousuf parried the question when asked if a player can be charged on the basis of that affidavit. "It's premature to say at the moment. An indepth investigation is needed and we are doing that," he remarked.

Justice Ijaz Yousuf also stated that he has contacted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to submit all the relevant documents in connection with betting and match-fixing charges.

"We have received some material from them (PCB)," he said.

The chief executive of the PCB, Majid Khan, confirmed from Lahore on Friday that the probe committee has been given all the newspaper cuttings.

Justice Ijaz Yousuf further disclosed that another meeting of the committee has been summoned in Quetta on May 11. The meeting will be attended by Mian Munir (President, LDCA), Nusrat Azeem (President, KCCA) and Waqar Ahmad (Secretary, PCB).

Justice Ijaz Yousuf said that three other cricketers have also been asked to appear before the committee. The cricketers are: Aamir Sohail, Basit Ali and Ramiz Raja.

"We also intend to call Rashid Latif after he returns from abroad," Justice Ijaz Yousuf added.

The chairman of the PCB probe committee said these three players have been called "because they were the first to make these accusations."

He said these players will be cross-examined to see if they can substantiate the allegations. "They have made serious allegations and need to be investigated," he admitted.

Justice Ijaz Yousuf said if the players convinced his committee, the accused player will be asked to defend himself against the allegations.

"However, if they (three players) failed to substantiate the allegations, we will report the matter to the PCB who will then decide what to do," he said.

Justice Ijaz Yousuf further said if it was felt necessary, every individual of the national team will be asked to appear before the committee for a thorough examination.

"But the major problem we are facing is the commitments of the players. They can't be available at the same time and that's why the investigations have moved at a snail's pace."

The PCB probe committee has been set a July 31 deadline to complete its investigations and submit the report to the Sports and Culture Committee of the National Assembly.

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