Abdullah719
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INDIVIDUALS ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN MATCH-FIXING
EVIDENCE, VERDICT & REASONS
Having carefully examined the evidence produced before the Commission and the submissions of the learned counsels, it is observed that there is a division of opinion between players and persons who are or have been officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Mr. Khalid Mahmood, ex-Chairman PCB, Mr. Arif Abbasi, former Chief Executive PCB and Mr. Zafar Altaf, former Member Ad-hoc Committee and most of the current players have maintained that allegations of match-fixing have no substance whatsoever. Mr. Majid Khan, ex-Chief Executive PCB, Mr. Javed Burki, former Captain Imran Khan and Javed Miandad, Mr. Intikhab Alam, Coach, Mr. Haroon Rashid, Mr. Rashid Latif, Mr. Aamir Sohail, and Mr. Aaqib Javed have stated that match-fixing has been taking place. On the latter side, there are also the allegations of the Australians.
In light of the evidence brought on record, as far as the majority of the players, particularly the younger ones are concerned, there is little or no evidence against them. However, the cases of Salim Malik, Mushtaq Ahmad, and Wasim Akram primarily are on a different footing. Other players have also been brought in either by their own reluctance to speak before this commission or by sub-allegations. Waqar Younus, Basit Ali, Saeed Anwar, Akram Raza, Ijaz Ahmad and Inzamam-ul-Haq are among these. Each is dealt with individually below:
Salim Malik was made the captain of Pakistan in 1993-94 and had been playing for Pakistan since 1981. He is the cricketer most accused of match-fixing.
FINDINGS, REASONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS AGAINST SALIM MALIK
As regards allegation ONE on its own, there is insufficient evidence about the last Test match. All the evidence that is available is primarily opinion and based on personal suspicion more than anything. Counter to this opinion there is the opinion of other commentators on the match who said that Pakistan did not bowl badly at all (So how come the two Ws bowled so badly today? The answer is simple. They didn't bowl badly at all - in fact they bowled very well, particularly early on), it was just that New Zealand batted out of their skins.
However, in the matter of the fifth one-day match, also at Christchurch, there is stronger evidence. The Commission is minded to believe Rashid Latif's testimony. However, Rashid's testimony is unsupported by any other evidence. Three other people who Rashid said were in the room when an offer was made to him have denied Rashid's statement. Therefore against four denials (Malik plus these three), this commission finds it difficult to convict Salim Malik on Rashid Latif's testimony alone.
Looking at the match can one say that the match was fixed? There is a chance that it was. But, that it was, cannot be said to the requisite standard of proof. The performance of the team was sub-par. There were misfields and there were wides. The batting collapsed. But then again that is the Pakistan team. The fact is that looking at the match one cannot reach any conclusion with certainty that match was fixed, though much can be said otherwise.
As regards allegation TWO alone, the Singer Trophy, the statement of Saleem Pervez has a lot of weight. It is acknowledged by many e.g. Rashid Latif that he was seen mixing with the players. Pervez is named as a gambler on the Ehtesaab Bureau report too. He has categorically stated that he had paid Salim Malik and Mushtaq Ahmad a sum of US$ 100,000 in Sri Lanka for the match of Pakistan against Australia in September, 1994 in Singer Trophy. It is, no doubt, true and admitted by Saleem Pervez that he has some criminal record and that had even been involved in a murder case but that does not mean that the man is lying. Cross-examination of Saleem Pervez however has cast some doubt on the testimony as there appear to be some discrepancies as to where the match was fixed and who carried the money. However, this commission on the whole believes Salim Pervez.
Corroboration of Salim Pervez can be sought from Mr. Aftab Butt, the person Pervez says he allegedly took with him to deliver the money. A statement from Aftab Butt could not be taken. He is being chased up. Allegation TWO, therefore stands for the time being. It will be addressed in the supplementary report that will shortly follow this Report.
As regards allegation THREE alone, having carefully gone through the statements of Mark Waugh and Shane Warne, this Commission comes to the conclusion that they have not fabricated their statements against Salim Malik. The cross-examination by the counsels has not been able to break the testimony that had been made by these players in Australia. Their version of events in believable. The 'John' factor does not do too much damage to Warne and Waugh's credibility. It does not absolve Salim Malik of the charges as the Australians made the Report to their authorities soon enough. That the news surfaced much later is not suspicious as Malik's counsel suggested. This commission is of the same opinion as Javed Burki when he says that the only reason the Australians leaked the allegations to the press was that Rashid Latif had already let the cat out of the bag.
This commission finds Salim Malik guilty of attempting to fix the Test-match that Shane Warne has stated Malik made him and Tim May an offer for. Shane Warne's testimony has withstood cross-examination and Tim May has indirectly corroborated that the offer was made, or at least directly corroborated that it was rejected on his behalf when Warne called Malik from their room.
Further, as regards the offer for the Rawalpindi One-day match, this Commission finds there to be sufficient evidence to convict Salim Malik of match-fixing. Salim Malik made an offer to Mark Waugh according to Waugh. Warne overheard this. Waugh accuses, Warne corroborates. This Commission therefore holds Malik guilty of attempting to fix the First Test Match.
As regards allegation FOUR, batting first in the finals and including Akram Raza instead of Kabir Khan, the tour report supports Salim Malik in that all of this is the Captain's prerogative. Intikhab Alam says that the team supported Salim Malik. While, it is clear that all was not well on that tour. However, in absence of stronger evidence, this Commission cannot hold that those finals were fixed.
Generally, there have been a lot of general allegations against Malik. Everyone seems to name him as the main culprit in match-fixing. Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, his own coaches, managers, and fellow players. Most crucially, Malik's own vice-captain quit and alleged match-fixing against him. Rashid Latif's allegation are very weighty against Malik. The cheques however are not of great probative value as they could have been given to Malik for any number of reasons. However, if all the allegations are taken together, in totality, Malik is clearly guilty for the lesser level of punishments too, of bringing the name of the team into disrepute. The lesser punishments would have been applied to Malik if he had not already been convicted at the higher level.
So, in light of the presence of evidence to support allegation THREE, this Commission recommends that a life ban be imposed on Salim Malik and he be not allowed to play cricket at any level, whether for Pakistan or at the domestic level. He should not be allowed to even associate himself with any cricketing affairs as he may be able to influence the new generation. This includes coaching, managerial offices and selection committees. It is also recommended that other suitable action whether in the form of criminal proceedings or otherwise be taken against Salim Malik. Moreover, an account of his finances needs to be taken and he should be fined Rs. 10 lac.
FINDINGS, REASONS & RECOMMENDATIONS:
While this Commission is minded to accept the testimony of Saleem Pervez after he managed to withstand cross-examination (taking note of the inconsistencies raised by Mr. Azmat Saeed in Pervez's statements), it is difficult to believe after looking at Mushtaq's figures, that he was trying to throw away the match. His performance in the context of the match was better than most. If one were to compare this with the performance of others then it appears difficult to hold that Mushtaq was involved in match-fixing, not giving his best. The two wickets he took were of the Waugh twins. This raises some doubt in my mind that Mushtaq was involved. There is, of course, a possibility that if Mushtaq was involved in match-fixing, he could well have used someone else to bowl or bat badly. However, there is no evidence to this effect.
There is of course as earlier mentioned one source of strong corroboration that may be checked for support of Saleem Pervez's testimony and that is Mr. Aftab Butt. Mr. Butt will be examined soon and a supplementary report will be made following up shortly on the heels of this Report.
While this Commission cannot for the time being make a finding of guilt to the requisite standard because, in fairness to Musthaq, Mr. Butt needs to be examined, there are sufficient grounds to cast strong doubt on Mushtaq Ahmad. He has brought the name of the Pakistan team into disrepute with inter alia associating with gamblers. This Commission therefore recommends that Mushtaq Ahmed be censured, kept under close watch and be not given any office of responsibility (selection or captaincy) in the team or on the board. Furthermore, he should be fined Rs. 3 lac.
Final findings against Mushtaq on the charge of match-fixing will soon follow in the Supplementary statement.
Wasim Akram has been the captain of the Pakistan team in several stints from 1993 till the present.
FINDINGS, REASONS & RECOMMENDATIONS.
The first allegation was prima facie the strongest against Wasim Akram. However, having considered the entire evidence, on record, this commission has come to the conclusion that Ata-ur-Rehman in view of his retraction from his earlier statement and various subsequent statements cannot be believed with any degree of certainty. His statement cannot be made the basis of holding Wasim Akram guilty of the offence of match-fixing. Ata's first story was that compelling that if Ata-ur-Rehman had not retracted from his earlier statement and if his statement had stood the test of cross-examination, then perhaps this commission might have held Wasim Akram guilty of fixing the Christchurch one-day match. But in the present scenario, this is not possible.
The three possible sources of corroboration that seemed have offered themselves too are too weak to prove the charge or support one of Ata's stories. The sources are as follows:
What Ata told Imran Khan about Wasim making Ata an offer was not contemporaneous; it was not after the New Zealand tour. Ata told Imran Khan after the news broke in the papers. Ata could well have been lying to Imran Khan after the news broke in the papers to support his story, to save face, or for any number of reasons.
Rashid Latif's statement against Wasim Akram. It is just his personal opinion. While this Commission gives Rashid Latif's testimony a lot of weight generally, in this instance the facts do not really support his assertions. 6.3 overs for 17 runs may be magnificent bowling (even in the context of a low scoring match.) Moreover, the Commission has to take into consideration Rashid's state of mind during that match. Rashid had been just offered money by the Captain. He may well have been a tad paranoid. This possibility of paranoia must be taken account of.
The taped of the conversation between Ata-ur-Rehman and Rashid Latif cannot provide good, independent corroboration as Ata once more may well have been lying to Rashid Latif. Further, for the reasons earlier stated the tapes cannot be taken as anything other than weak corroboration.
Use of a cellular phone and a reprimand for it cannot result in guilt. A phone is not an incriminating object.
As regards the sub-allegation that Akram was feigning injury, it can be said that there is no proof either way. Rashid and Intikhab only give personal opinions. Akram could well have injured himself during the Pakistan inning. Even Wisden seemed to note that the injury was authentic.
Most crucially, as regards allegation one, the Aamir Sohail factor was introduced into the matters by Ata-ur-Rehman, the 'Aamir Sohail factor' being the allegation that Aamir Sohail induced Ata to make the statement against Wasim Akram. While this commission is minded to disbelieve anything Ata-ur-Rehman says in light of the number of times he has changed his statement, it must still consider whether Aamir Sohail could have influenced Ata's into making a false first affidavit. Even if it appears unlikely, there is a chance that Aamir Sohail did. This introduces some doubt in my mind about Ata's first affidavit.
Aamir Sohail by his subsequent actions ironically seems to clear Wasim Akram. When Sohail later became the captain of the Pakistan team, he played Wasim under him. Even recently Sohail agreed to play under the man he said is likely to be crooked. In all of this Aamir Sohail gives some credence to Ata's statements that Aamir Sohail put him up to making the first affidavit and that it was false. Moreover, it needs be noted that when Aamir Sohail appeared initially before this Commission he was the Captain of Pakistan and had nothing substantial to say. This was despite his making a lot of allegations in the press. Even Ata-ur-Rehman talks of this in his taped conversation with Rashid Latif. Thereafter, once he had left the Captaincy he came back on 19.12.98 to the court with several allegations. All of this damages Aamir Sohail's credibility and gives some credence to Ata's second statement.
As regards allegation one on its own, this commission is left with no option but to hold Wasim Akram not guilty of the charge of match-fixing. This the Commission does so only by giving Wasim Akram the benefit of the doubt. This is done on the ground of insufficient evidence. Wasim is barely saved through Ata-ur-Rehman's discrediting himself and Aamir Sohail's actions.
As regards allegation two on its own, in light of Dr. Dan Keisel and Intikhab Alam's statement, Wasim Akram cannot be said to have been feigning injury. Therefore he is cleared.
As regards allegation three on its own, of tampering with the batting order to fix the match, it has been said that Wasim was trying to take responsibility by going in himself, a risk that failed. This commission is willing to give the benefit of the doubt to Wasim Akram.
As regards general allegations, although Rashid Latif has made allegations against him but the same have not been substantiated with any evidence. Likewise the statement of Javed Miandad or that for matter Ms. Fareshteh Gati-Aslam or Majid Khan is not sufficient for arriving at a finding of guilt.
Although Aaqib Javed's statement too does not hold some weight as all Aqib said was that someone allegedly delivered Wasim's threat. As such this is strictly hearsay and inadmissible.
In favor of Akram, there is the evidence of police inquiries made into the kidnapping of his father. The two inquiries have revealed that the kidnapping did not concern match-fixing or gambling.
However, once this commission looks at the allegations in their totality, this commission feels that all is not well here and that Wasim Akram is not above board. He has not co-operated with this Commission. It is only by giving Wasim Akram the benefit of the doubt after Ata-ur-Rehman changed his testimony in suspicious circumstances that he has not been found guilty of match-fixing. He cannot be said to be above suspicion. It is, therefore, recommended that he be censured and be kept under strict vigilance and further probe be made either by the Government of Pakistan or by the Cricket Board into his assets acquired during his cricketing tenure and a comparison be made with his income. Furthermore, he should be fined Rs. 3 lac.
More importantly, it is further recommended that Wasim Akram be removed from captaincy of the national team. The captain of the national team should have a spot-less character and be above suspicion. Wasim Akram seems to be too sullied to hold that office.
FINDINGS, REASONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
As regards allegation one alone, the receipt of a car, Waqar has denied it. No other evidence has been forthcoming to support Aaqib's allegation, not from Aaqib nor from Saleem Pervez. Even if one car was received, it was returned. If Waqar had fixed match for the car, he was likely to have retained it. Perhaps the car was just a lure and Waqar returned it. With no evidence forthcoming, one cannot say. Since the allegedly received car was returned, the matter therefore needs not be further investigated.
As regards allegation two alone, fixing the Christchurch match, in light of denials by two of the three players allegedly present, this Commission cannot say that Waqar was involved in fixing the match. Furthermore, it is too great a jump for a person to say conclusively that just by the fact that an offer was made before a player to fix a match, the person who listened in was involved too.
As regards the general allegations, they are generally baseless. No evidence has been proffered to support them. The evidence against Waqar Younis is primarily hearsay (even then mostly from anonymous sources) and unsubstantiated. Possession of a cellular phone has no probative value unless it is alleged to have been used during a match to fix that match. As such they alone are insufficient to hold Waqar Younis guilty to the requisite standard.
However, all the allegations taken together warrant some action against Waqar Younis. Two of Waqar's own managers and someone reputed to be his friend, Aaqib Javed have alleged wrongdoing against him. These appear sufficient grounds for recommending a censure. Moreover, that Waqar Younus should be kept under observation and investigated.
Further, during proceedings it was felt that Waqar Younus has been reluctant to help this commission and even when prompted was not fully forthcoming. It is therefore recommended that he be fined Rs. 1 lac.
Rashid Latif has deposed that these two were among the four players who were present when Salim Malik made him an offer to throw the 5th One Day match at Christchurch against New Zealand. The implication is that they were involved to some extent in match-fixing.
While a place a lot of weight can be placed on Rashid Latif's testimony, in the absence of any other evidence and in light of denials from the co-accused, it is not possible to find them guilty of match-fixing. However, it is recommended that these players be warned, kept under observation and their finances be investigated.
Furthermore, when asked about the Christchurch match, the partial amnesia that these players seem to have developed was distressing. It is understandable that these players have played too many games (except for Akram Raza and Basit Ali) to recall all of them. Nevertheless, there have not been that many matches about which allegations of match-fixing have been made. It was interesting to see one of them remembered the weather of the match, but did not recall any other details. This commission believes that these players probably knew more than they revealed. For not being forthcoming, these players too should be fined Rs. 1 lac each and they be kept under observation.
Intikhab Alam stated that when Pakistan played Australia in the Singer Trophy in Sri Lanka in 1993-94, they lost the game despite being in very good form. (This is the same match in which Saleem Pervez, in his statement says he paid Salim Malik (along with Mushtaq Ahmed) a sum of US$100,000 to drop the game.) Intikhab Alam says that after that match, when the team went to the hotel, he received a call from a caller who did not divulge his name but stated that he had lost Rs 40 lacs and that four to five players had sold themselves. He called Malik, Waqar Younis and Basit Ali to his room. While Malik and Waqar denied match-fixing, Basit said he had been involved.
This is confirmed in Intikhab Alam's tour report for the South Africa/ Zimbabwe 1994-95:
'Basit Ali is the only player in the Pakistan team who have [sic] made a confession that he has been involved in betting, his retirement from cricket is just to save himself.'
There is also the matter of the taped conversation between Salim Malik and Basit Ali and Rashid Latif. In it Basit complains to Salim that Wasim is here in town and he is putting allegations on me.
Basit Ali has been named as among those four players who were in the room when Rashid Latif was made an offer. Basit Ali was ill with Jaundice and therefore not available to confirm or deny this. Due to the deadline of the commission, this lead could not be followed.
Basit Ali denied having ever made a confession to Intikhab Alam. This plus the fact that Intikhab Alam was removed from the post of manager because of mismanagement and negligence in investigating the reports of match-fixing, there is insufficient evidence to find Basit Ali guilty of any sort of match-fixing.
Given that Basit retired and has distanced himself from Cricket, he is not even guilty of bringing the name of the Pakistan team into disrepute. This Commission therefore believes that no strong action needs to be taken against him. Basit has had the dignity and common sense to retire. He should be allowed to be, as long as he stays out of Cricket.
Zahid Fazal was allegedly the carrier of a message to Saeed Anwar from Salim Malik to fix a match against Australia in the Singer Trophy in Sri Lanka. Indirectly, allegedly, he was involved in a fix. So he was called by the commission and under oath he denied that the message he took in contained anything suspicious. He said that the message he took in was to tell Saeed Anwar to take singles and not boundaries, and to try to bat out the whole match. He said he took the message in only once. This contradicts Saeed Anwar's statement that the message was sent to him repeatedly. However, that is appears to be nothing suspicious and such inconsistencies are to be expected for a match so long ago.
In the absence of any evidence against him, this commission finds Zahid Fazal not guilty of any match-fixing offence.
In Saeed Anwar's favour, a lot of people have said he is clean. Even one of the tapes seems to support this.
In light of the above, this commission itself unable to find any compelling evidence to the requisite standard that Saeed Anwar was involved in match-fixing a particular match.
However, with the totality of evidence this commission does believe that Saeed Anwar has by his actions brought doubt onto himself. Further, this commission felt that Saeed Anwar was witholding some evidence from the Commission. In light of all of this it is recommended that Saeed Anwar be fined Rs. 1 lac and that he be kept under observation.
As such in lieu of evidence to the contrary, this Commission finds Ijaz Ahmad not guilty of match-fixing. No action needs to be taken against him other than that he, as has been recommended with other players, should present an account of his personal finances to the Board. He should also take care so as to not associate with bookies.
ATA-UR-REHMAN
Ata has prima facie perjured himself. Proceedings have been instituted against him separately.
On the charge of match-fixing, this Commission has Ata's confession which he has later resiled from. As against Ata that confession can still be believed. However, against the co-accused Wasim Akram, it is not admissible. By believing Ata-ur-Rehman's first affidavit, this Commission recommends a ban on him from international cricket for life.
In light of his perjury, it is further found that he has brought the name of the Pakistan team into disrepute. Therefore, Ata-ur-Rehman should also be fined Rs. 4 lac, twice the amount of money, he first claimed he took from Wasim Akram.
SAQLAIN MUSHTAQ
Haroon Rasheed has stated that Saqlain bowled suspiciously against India in the Karachi One Dayer as he gave away 16/17 runs to the tailenders in his last over to lose match.
Saqlain has explained that he could not grip the ball properly as the umpires had changed the ball and had given him a new ball albeit sanded down to bowl with. This Commission accepts his explanation. There is no evidence to cast doubt on Saqlain. In fact, Saqlain should consider it a perverse compliment that he is considered so good that each time he goes for runs in the death overs people think he must be doing it purposely.
Rashid Latif has stated in his statement that the whole team in New Zealand other than Asif Mujtaba and possibly Aamir Sohail was involved in match-fixing. In other matches too, different people have made allegations against a substantial part of the team. However, this commission finds no evidence to support this. Most of the allegations, beyond those against three or four individuals, appear conjecture or based on hearsay.
This commission finds a lot of truth in what Saeed Anwar said in one of Rashid Latif's tapes: 'Is waqt sab ko sab par shaq ho raha hai.' (At this moment everyone is suspecting everyone). Paranoia can account for a lot of what was said, for most of the allegations.
Various cricket experts like Imran Khan, Javed Miandad have stated that for a match to be fixed at least 5-7 players ought to be bought. As seen above, this commission could not find conclusive evidence against as many players, thus on the whole the team is cleared of blame.
The current team is in any event a largely new one, and one invested in youth. They are as yet unsullied. Care should be taken so as to ensure they remain so. To this end recommendations are made later in this Report.
EVIDENCE, VERDICT & REASONS
Having carefully examined the evidence produced before the Commission and the submissions of the learned counsels, it is observed that there is a division of opinion between players and persons who are or have been officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Mr. Khalid Mahmood, ex-Chairman PCB, Mr. Arif Abbasi, former Chief Executive PCB and Mr. Zafar Altaf, former Member Ad-hoc Committee and most of the current players have maintained that allegations of match-fixing have no substance whatsoever. Mr. Majid Khan, ex-Chief Executive PCB, Mr. Javed Burki, former Captain Imran Khan and Javed Miandad, Mr. Intikhab Alam, Coach, Mr. Haroon Rashid, Mr. Rashid Latif, Mr. Aamir Sohail, and Mr. Aaqib Javed have stated that match-fixing has been taking place. On the latter side, there are also the allegations of the Australians.
In light of the evidence brought on record, as far as the majority of the players, particularly the younger ones are concerned, there is little or no evidence against them. However, the cases of Salim Malik, Mushtaq Ahmad, and Wasim Akram primarily are on a different footing. Other players have also been brought in either by their own reluctance to speak before this commission or by sub-allegations. Waqar Younus, Basit Ali, Saeed Anwar, Akram Raza, Ijaz Ahmad and Inzamam-ul-Haq are among these. Each is dealt with individually below:
SALIM MALIK
Salim Malik was made the captain of Pakistan in 1993-94 and had been playing for Pakistan since 1981. He is the cricketer most accused of match-fixing.
ALLEGATION ONE: NEW ZEALAND TOUR AND CHRISTCHURCH MATCHES
His first tour as captain was to New Zealand in 1993-94. The third Test in Christchurch and the fifth One-day International at Christchurch have been mentioned as matches that were fixed by him, along with other people, for Pakistan to lose.
As regards the last test match, Intikhab Alam, Saeed Anwar and Fareshteh Gati-Aslam have opined that that test match was fixed. New Zealand were set 314/315 to win in the last inning against a strong Pakistan attack which they managed. The coach of that tour was Intikhab Alam. In his statement Intikhab says that he has doubts about how New Zealand, which had been losing till then, suddenly recovered to score a big total like 316 to win the Christchurch Test. Pakistan had won the first two Tests by margins of 5 wickets and by an innings and 12 runs. (In fact the target had been 324.)
Moreover, regarding the 5th One-day Match at Christchurch, Rashid Latif has deposed that before the match, Salim Malik, the Captain of the Pakistan team, made a phone call to him and called him to his room. There, according to Rashid Latif, Malik offered him Rs 10 lacs for playing badly the following day, because, he said, the team had to lose as he, Malik, had struck a deal with some bookies. Further Latif deposed there were four other players present in the room, namely Waqar Younus, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Akram Raza and Basit Ali. Three of the four have denied this; Basit Ali was not available for comment on this particular allegation. Basit had however stated earlier that he has never been involved in match-fixing.
According to Rashid Latif, on the day of the match when Rashid took a catch of the opener Bryan Young off Waqar Younis, Malik reprimanded him and reiterated that 'we have to lose the match'. In Rashid's opinion this match was lost deliberately and the two main culprits were Wasim Akram and Salim Malik. (It might be mentioned this is the same match which Ata ur Rehman says Wasim Akram had fixed with Ijaz Ahmed and Zafar Ali Jojo in Pakistan.). After looking at the video of this match it has been noticed that wides and no balls were given away freely by the bowlers as has been pointed out by Rashid Latif. Rashid also noticed that the bowling of Ata-ur-Rehman and others at crucial stages was not according to the field placing set by captain Salim Malik.
(Ata-ur-Rehman, in his first statement, had said that Wasim Akram had paid him Rs. One Lac to bowl badly in the same match and that Wasim had told Ata that the said match had been fixed by Salim Malik and Ijaz Ahmad.)
ALLEGATION TWO: SINGER CUP IN SRI LANKA.
From New Zealand the Pakistan team's next tour was to Sri Lanka in 1994-95. Malik was retained as captain and Pakistan won the Test series as well as the One-day series against Sri Lanka. After a 15 day gap Pakistan participated in the Singer Trophy in which India, Sri Lanka and Australia also took part.
During this break Malik made a trip to Pakistan. Malik has stated that he came back because his son was ill. The Management reports that Malik stated he had a wedding to attend. Rashid Latif has alleged that Malik came back to Pakistan to make a deal with bookies. Moreover, Malik has stated that he went to Islamabad while Rashid Latif stated that Malik did in fact come to Lahore. Rashid says he knows so, as he helped arrange the seats and, when Malik lost his luggage, to deal with that matter too.
Saleem Pervez, in his statement says he paid Salim Malik (along with Mushtaq Ahmed) a sum of US$100,000 to drop the Pakistan v Australia game, the second game of the Singer Trophy. He was also cross-examined at great lengths by Salim Malik's Counsel and he came out with further details regarding one Mr. Aftab Butt, a bookie travelling with him. He also stated that they stayed at the 'Taj' and also at the 'Oberoi' in Sri Lanka and that they had met Mushtaq Ahmad three days or so prior to their departure at Shalimar Hotel, Lahore, where the deal was struck. There were however some material inconsistencies in Saleem Pervez' statements as regards who carried the money and where the deal was struck according to Malik's counsel.
Rashid Latif said that Saeed Anwar had informed him that Salim Malik had asked Anwar to play badly in Sri Lanka. He had also told him not to disclose the existence of the offer to Rashid Latif. Saeed Anwar has denied this.
Saeed Anwar got 46 off 78 balls hitting 5 fours and one six. This was a low scoring game and Pakistan needed just 179 for victory. Anwar retired hurt after message(s) from the Captain were taken in by the 12th man and resumed at number 6. (The scorecard reads: Saeed Anwar retired hurt on 43* from 80/2 to 124/5 (cramp, resumed with a runner.))
Manager Intikhab Alam says that after that match, when the team went to the hotel, he received a call from a caller who did not divulge his name but stated that he had lost Rs 40 lacs and that four to five players had sold themselves. He called Malik, Waqar Younis and Basit Ali to his room. While Malik and Waqar denied match-fixing, Basit said he had been involved.
Basit had scored 0 off 13 balls and had no contribution as a fielder either.
Intikhab also said that Asif Iqbal had informed him that the bookies had lost 40 lacs and wanted to recover that amount. He said he thought Asif may have spoken to Malik and subsequently Malik and Intikhab had a discussion about this matter.
(Incidentally, this is the same match that Mark Waugh and Shane Warne have admitted to accepting money from an Indian bookie, 'John', to give weather and pitch information.)
Aftab Butt has been sought for corroboration, but until now his attendance despite the Commission's best efforts, has not been possible.
ALLEGATION THREE: THE HOME SERIES AGAINST AUSTRALIA
After the Sri Lanka tour the Pakistan team played in a home series against Australia in Autumn 1994.
Shane Warne has deposed that on the Pakistan tour in September, 1994, he was called by Malik to his room in the hotel and was offered US$ 200,000 to throw away the first Karachi Test by getting another bowler, Tim May to bowl badly with him. He told Malik to get lost. Warne then went back to the room and told May of the incident. May's response to Malik's offer was the same.
For the Rawalpindi One-day Match, Mark Waugh has stated that at a Presidential function he was offered a bribe to arrange with four or five other players to throw the match for US $200,000. At that time Shane Warne was standing next to Waugh, within earshot. Shane Warne has confirmed that towards the end of October, 1994 at the Presidential function, he heard Salim Malik offering bribe to Mark Waugh for the One Day match at Rawalpindi.
Both of the above incidents were reported the players to Mark Taylor, their Captain who informed the Australian officials on tour with them, Bob Simpson, the Coach and Colin Egar, the manager. (Mark Taylor confirmed this when he appeared before the Commission in Lahore in 1998.)
In February, 1995, they were asked to make a short summary of the incident. Then in Antigua, West Indies, on the 9th of April 1995, Warne and Waugh made statutory declarations detailing the above. These affidavits after some time were passed by the ICC to the Pakistan Cricket Board, and thereafter this Commission. This was after the news of the allegations broke in an Australian newspaper, after Rashid Latif had first made his allegations public.
Mark Waugh on the tour of Pakistan in 1998 made a personal appearance before the Commission of Inquiry with his Captain, Mark Taylor in Lahore and repeated the same allegation. Taylor and Waugh were also cross-examined.
However, later the news broke that Mark Waugh and Shane Warne themselves had earlier on the tour of Sri Lanka been involved with a bookie, John. This had not been disclosed to the Commission and seemed to affect the Australians' credibility. Therefore, on the request of the ACB, representatives of the Commission went to Australia to cross-examine Warne and Waugh. Details of the cross-examination have been noted above.
Briefly, it was confirmed by Warne and Waugh that their dealings with John had been only for weather and pitch information. Mr. Michael Shatin QC added in court that Mr. Salim Malik had never confronted Mark Waugh or Shane Warne regarding these allegations, although they had met several times after the incident. Why not, if Malik was not guilty?
ALLEGATION FOUR: THE SOUTH AFRICA TOUR
After the Australia tour in 1994-95, Pakistan's next assignment was to South Africa for the Mandela Trophy involving New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka. They won five of the six qualifying round games and entered the final against South Africa. Both matches were lost under controversial circumstances.
There was an open dispute within the team about the decision of the toss. Since the matches were day/night games and the lights in Johannesburg were not conducive to batting second, Rashid Latif the vice-captain had strongly recommended that if Malik won the toss Pakistan should bat first. Both times Malik won the toss and put the opposition in and Pakistan lost two finals matches. In cricketing terms the toss in a day/night game is crucial as it is easier to bat first in natural daylight than under the shadows of floodlights. Even Wisden notes that Malik made "the puzzling decision to field first". It was also puzzling why having batted first and lost in the 1st final, Malik repeated the mistake two days later in the second match as well.
Basit Ali says that as suspicion was rife that the matches were fixed, Intikhab asked every player to take an oath on the emulet that they would play the match honestly. Malik said he would inspect the ground and then take the oath. Before he came back into the dressing room he went for the toss, elected to put South Africa in to bat and then asked to take the oath by which time it was too late. (South African captain Hansie Cronje made a statement that he was quite surprised to be asked to bat first. Pakistan again lost that match.)
It was after this tour that Rashid Latif says he announced his retirement because the main reason was that team members were indulging in match-fixing.
Salim Malik had figures of 4-0-22-0 (over 5 runs an over) and was run out for 19 runs after staying at the wicket for 26 balls.
As earlier stated even Wisden says that after Malik "made the puzzling decision to field first.' It further notes that 'From 193 for 4 they had lost their last six wickets for 22 including three run outs.'
To sum up: First Malik was run out for 19 off 26. Then Aamir Sohail, who had scored 71 from 74 balls, was run out when batting with Ijaz Ahmed. Finally Rashid Latif (17 off 31 balls) was run out when batting with Wasim Akram who scored 12 runs off 26 balls.
In the second final, two days later Malik again made a controversial decision to let South Africa bat first. Wisden says: "Again, Salim Malik asked South Africa to bat, creating divisions in Pakistan's dressing room."
ALLEGATION FIVE: GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
Copies of Cheques for Salim Malik were handed in by Rashid Latif, drawn by one Caesar Fernanades in favor of Salim Malik.
Aaqib Javed in his statement said that Salim Malik along with Wasim Akram was one of the main players involved in match-fixing.
Pakistan captain Imran Khan said that the first time he heard of match-fixing was in a domestic game which involved Habib Bank. The captain was Salim Malik.
Javed Miandad said that the domestic game Imran spoke about involved five Habib Bank players namely Salim Malik, Ijaz Ahmed, Nadeem Ghouri, Akram Raza and Naveed Anjum.
His first tour as captain was to New Zealand in 1993-94. The third Test in Christchurch and the fifth One-day International at Christchurch have been mentioned as matches that were fixed by him, along with other people, for Pakistan to lose.
As regards the last test match, Intikhab Alam, Saeed Anwar and Fareshteh Gati-Aslam have opined that that test match was fixed. New Zealand were set 314/315 to win in the last inning against a strong Pakistan attack which they managed. The coach of that tour was Intikhab Alam. In his statement Intikhab says that he has doubts about how New Zealand, which had been losing till then, suddenly recovered to score a big total like 316 to win the Christchurch Test. Pakistan had won the first two Tests by margins of 5 wickets and by an innings and 12 runs. (In fact the target had been 324.)
Moreover, regarding the 5th One-day Match at Christchurch, Rashid Latif has deposed that before the match, Salim Malik, the Captain of the Pakistan team, made a phone call to him and called him to his room. There, according to Rashid Latif, Malik offered him Rs 10 lacs for playing badly the following day, because, he said, the team had to lose as he, Malik, had struck a deal with some bookies. Further Latif deposed there were four other players present in the room, namely Waqar Younus, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Akram Raza and Basit Ali. Three of the four have denied this; Basit Ali was not available for comment on this particular allegation. Basit had however stated earlier that he has never been involved in match-fixing.
According to Rashid Latif, on the day of the match when Rashid took a catch of the opener Bryan Young off Waqar Younis, Malik reprimanded him and reiterated that 'we have to lose the match'. In Rashid's opinion this match was lost deliberately and the two main culprits were Wasim Akram and Salim Malik. (It might be mentioned this is the same match which Ata ur Rehman says Wasim Akram had fixed with Ijaz Ahmed and Zafar Ali Jojo in Pakistan.). After looking at the video of this match it has been noticed that wides and no balls were given away freely by the bowlers as has been pointed out by Rashid Latif. Rashid also noticed that the bowling of Ata-ur-Rehman and others at crucial stages was not according to the field placing set by captain Salim Malik.
(Ata-ur-Rehman, in his first statement, had said that Wasim Akram had paid him Rs. One Lac to bowl badly in the same match and that Wasim had told Ata that the said match had been fixed by Salim Malik and Ijaz Ahmad.)
ALLEGATION TWO: SINGER CUP IN SRI LANKA.
From New Zealand the Pakistan team's next tour was to Sri Lanka in 1994-95. Malik was retained as captain and Pakistan won the Test series as well as the One-day series against Sri Lanka. After a 15 day gap Pakistan participated in the Singer Trophy in which India, Sri Lanka and Australia also took part.
During this break Malik made a trip to Pakistan. Malik has stated that he came back because his son was ill. The Management reports that Malik stated he had a wedding to attend. Rashid Latif has alleged that Malik came back to Pakistan to make a deal with bookies. Moreover, Malik has stated that he went to Islamabad while Rashid Latif stated that Malik did in fact come to Lahore. Rashid says he knows so, as he helped arrange the seats and, when Malik lost his luggage, to deal with that matter too.
Saleem Pervez, in his statement says he paid Salim Malik (along with Mushtaq Ahmed) a sum of US$100,000 to drop the Pakistan v Australia game, the second game of the Singer Trophy. He was also cross-examined at great lengths by Salim Malik's Counsel and he came out with further details regarding one Mr. Aftab Butt, a bookie travelling with him. He also stated that they stayed at the 'Taj' and also at the 'Oberoi' in Sri Lanka and that they had met Mushtaq Ahmad three days or so prior to their departure at Shalimar Hotel, Lahore, where the deal was struck. There were however some material inconsistencies in Saleem Pervez' statements as regards who carried the money and where the deal was struck according to Malik's counsel.
Rashid Latif said that Saeed Anwar had informed him that Salim Malik had asked Anwar to play badly in Sri Lanka. He had also told him not to disclose the existence of the offer to Rashid Latif. Saeed Anwar has denied this.
Saeed Anwar got 46 off 78 balls hitting 5 fours and one six. This was a low scoring game and Pakistan needed just 179 for victory. Anwar retired hurt after message(s) from the Captain were taken in by the 12th man and resumed at number 6. (The scorecard reads: Saeed Anwar retired hurt on 43* from 80/2 to 124/5 (cramp, resumed with a runner.))
Manager Intikhab Alam says that after that match, when the team went to the hotel, he received a call from a caller who did not divulge his name but stated that he had lost Rs 40 lacs and that four to five players had sold themselves. He called Malik, Waqar Younis and Basit Ali to his room. While Malik and Waqar denied match-fixing, Basit said he had been involved.
Basit had scored 0 off 13 balls and had no contribution as a fielder either.
Intikhab also said that Asif Iqbal had informed him that the bookies had lost 40 lacs and wanted to recover that amount. He said he thought Asif may have spoken to Malik and subsequently Malik and Intikhab had a discussion about this matter.
(Incidentally, this is the same match that Mark Waugh and Shane Warne have admitted to accepting money from an Indian bookie, 'John', to give weather and pitch information.)
Aftab Butt has been sought for corroboration, but until now his attendance despite the Commission's best efforts, has not been possible.
ALLEGATION THREE: THE HOME SERIES AGAINST AUSTRALIA
After the Sri Lanka tour the Pakistan team played in a home series against Australia in Autumn 1994.
Shane Warne has deposed that on the Pakistan tour in September, 1994, he was called by Malik to his room in the hotel and was offered US$ 200,000 to throw away the first Karachi Test by getting another bowler, Tim May to bowl badly with him. He told Malik to get lost. Warne then went back to the room and told May of the incident. May's response to Malik's offer was the same.
For the Rawalpindi One-day Match, Mark Waugh has stated that at a Presidential function he was offered a bribe to arrange with four or five other players to throw the match for US $200,000. At that time Shane Warne was standing next to Waugh, within earshot. Shane Warne has confirmed that towards the end of October, 1994 at the Presidential function, he heard Salim Malik offering bribe to Mark Waugh for the One Day match at Rawalpindi.
Both of the above incidents were reported the players to Mark Taylor, their Captain who informed the Australian officials on tour with them, Bob Simpson, the Coach and Colin Egar, the manager. (Mark Taylor confirmed this when he appeared before the Commission in Lahore in 1998.)
In February, 1995, they were asked to make a short summary of the incident. Then in Antigua, West Indies, on the 9th of April 1995, Warne and Waugh made statutory declarations detailing the above. These affidavits after some time were passed by the ICC to the Pakistan Cricket Board, and thereafter this Commission. This was after the news of the allegations broke in an Australian newspaper, after Rashid Latif had first made his allegations public.
Mark Waugh on the tour of Pakistan in 1998 made a personal appearance before the Commission of Inquiry with his Captain, Mark Taylor in Lahore and repeated the same allegation. Taylor and Waugh were also cross-examined.
However, later the news broke that Mark Waugh and Shane Warne themselves had earlier on the tour of Sri Lanka been involved with a bookie, John. This had not been disclosed to the Commission and seemed to affect the Australians' credibility. Therefore, on the request of the ACB, representatives of the Commission went to Australia to cross-examine Warne and Waugh. Details of the cross-examination have been noted above.
Briefly, it was confirmed by Warne and Waugh that their dealings with John had been only for weather and pitch information. Mr. Michael Shatin QC added in court that Mr. Salim Malik had never confronted Mark Waugh or Shane Warne regarding these allegations, although they had met several times after the incident. Why not, if Malik was not guilty?
ALLEGATION FOUR: THE SOUTH AFRICA TOUR
After the Australia tour in 1994-95, Pakistan's next assignment was to South Africa for the Mandela Trophy involving New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka. They won five of the six qualifying round games and entered the final against South Africa. Both matches were lost under controversial circumstances.
There was an open dispute within the team about the decision of the toss. Since the matches were day/night games and the lights in Johannesburg were not conducive to batting second, Rashid Latif the vice-captain had strongly recommended that if Malik won the toss Pakistan should bat first. Both times Malik won the toss and put the opposition in and Pakistan lost two finals matches. In cricketing terms the toss in a day/night game is crucial as it is easier to bat first in natural daylight than under the shadows of floodlights. Even Wisden notes that Malik made "the puzzling decision to field first". It was also puzzling why having batted first and lost in the 1st final, Malik repeated the mistake two days later in the second match as well.
Basit Ali says that as suspicion was rife that the matches were fixed, Intikhab asked every player to take an oath on the emulet that they would play the match honestly. Malik said he would inspect the ground and then take the oath. Before he came back into the dressing room he went for the toss, elected to put South Africa in to bat and then asked to take the oath by which time it was too late. (South African captain Hansie Cronje made a statement that he was quite surprised to be asked to bat first. Pakistan again lost that match.)
It was after this tour that Rashid Latif says he announced his retirement because the main reason was that team members were indulging in match-fixing.
Salim Malik had figures of 4-0-22-0 (over 5 runs an over) and was run out for 19 runs after staying at the wicket for 26 balls.
As earlier stated even Wisden says that after Malik "made the puzzling decision to field first.' It further notes that 'From 193 for 4 they had lost their last six wickets for 22 including three run outs.'
To sum up: First Malik was run out for 19 off 26. Then Aamir Sohail, who had scored 71 from 74 balls, was run out when batting with Ijaz Ahmed. Finally Rashid Latif (17 off 31 balls) was run out when batting with Wasim Akram who scored 12 runs off 26 balls.
In the second final, two days later Malik again made a controversial decision to let South Africa bat first. Wisden says: "Again, Salim Malik asked South Africa to bat, creating divisions in Pakistan's dressing room."
ALLEGATION FIVE: GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
Copies of Cheques for Salim Malik were handed in by Rashid Latif, drawn by one Caesar Fernanades in favor of Salim Malik.
Aaqib Javed in his statement said that Salim Malik along with Wasim Akram was one of the main players involved in match-fixing.
Pakistan captain Imran Khan said that the first time he heard of match-fixing was in a domestic game which involved Habib Bank. The captain was Salim Malik.
Javed Miandad said that the domestic game Imran spoke about involved five Habib Bank players namely Salim Malik, Ijaz Ahmed, Nadeem Ghouri, Akram Raza and Naveed Anjum.
FINDINGS, REASONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS AGAINST SALIM MALIK
As regards allegation ONE on its own, there is insufficient evidence about the last Test match. All the evidence that is available is primarily opinion and based on personal suspicion more than anything. Counter to this opinion there is the opinion of other commentators on the match who said that Pakistan did not bowl badly at all (So how come the two Ws bowled so badly today? The answer is simple. They didn't bowl badly at all - in fact they bowled very well, particularly early on), it was just that New Zealand batted out of their skins.
However, in the matter of the fifth one-day match, also at Christchurch, there is stronger evidence. The Commission is minded to believe Rashid Latif's testimony. However, Rashid's testimony is unsupported by any other evidence. Three other people who Rashid said were in the room when an offer was made to him have denied Rashid's statement. Therefore against four denials (Malik plus these three), this commission finds it difficult to convict Salim Malik on Rashid Latif's testimony alone.
Looking at the match can one say that the match was fixed? There is a chance that it was. But, that it was, cannot be said to the requisite standard of proof. The performance of the team was sub-par. There were misfields and there were wides. The batting collapsed. But then again that is the Pakistan team. The fact is that looking at the match one cannot reach any conclusion with certainty that match was fixed, though much can be said otherwise.
As regards allegation TWO alone, the Singer Trophy, the statement of Saleem Pervez has a lot of weight. It is acknowledged by many e.g. Rashid Latif that he was seen mixing with the players. Pervez is named as a gambler on the Ehtesaab Bureau report too. He has categorically stated that he had paid Salim Malik and Mushtaq Ahmad a sum of US$ 100,000 in Sri Lanka for the match of Pakistan against Australia in September, 1994 in Singer Trophy. It is, no doubt, true and admitted by Saleem Pervez that he has some criminal record and that had even been involved in a murder case but that does not mean that the man is lying. Cross-examination of Saleem Pervez however has cast some doubt on the testimony as there appear to be some discrepancies as to where the match was fixed and who carried the money. However, this commission on the whole believes Salim Pervez.
Corroboration of Salim Pervez can be sought from Mr. Aftab Butt, the person Pervez says he allegedly took with him to deliver the money. A statement from Aftab Butt could not be taken. He is being chased up. Allegation TWO, therefore stands for the time being. It will be addressed in the supplementary report that will shortly follow this Report.
As regards allegation THREE alone, having carefully gone through the statements of Mark Waugh and Shane Warne, this Commission comes to the conclusion that they have not fabricated their statements against Salim Malik. The cross-examination by the counsels has not been able to break the testimony that had been made by these players in Australia. Their version of events in believable. The 'John' factor does not do too much damage to Warne and Waugh's credibility. It does not absolve Salim Malik of the charges as the Australians made the Report to their authorities soon enough. That the news surfaced much later is not suspicious as Malik's counsel suggested. This commission is of the same opinion as Javed Burki when he says that the only reason the Australians leaked the allegations to the press was that Rashid Latif had already let the cat out of the bag.
This commission finds Salim Malik guilty of attempting to fix the Test-match that Shane Warne has stated Malik made him and Tim May an offer for. Shane Warne's testimony has withstood cross-examination and Tim May has indirectly corroborated that the offer was made, or at least directly corroborated that it was rejected on his behalf when Warne called Malik from their room.
Further, as regards the offer for the Rawalpindi One-day match, this Commission finds there to be sufficient evidence to convict Salim Malik of match-fixing. Salim Malik made an offer to Mark Waugh according to Waugh. Warne overheard this. Waugh accuses, Warne corroborates. This Commission therefore holds Malik guilty of attempting to fix the First Test Match.
As regards allegation FOUR, batting first in the finals and including Akram Raza instead of Kabir Khan, the tour report supports Salim Malik in that all of this is the Captain's prerogative. Intikhab Alam says that the team supported Salim Malik. While, it is clear that all was not well on that tour. However, in absence of stronger evidence, this Commission cannot hold that those finals were fixed.
Generally, there have been a lot of general allegations against Malik. Everyone seems to name him as the main culprit in match-fixing. Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, his own coaches, managers, and fellow players. Most crucially, Malik's own vice-captain quit and alleged match-fixing against him. Rashid Latif's allegation are very weighty against Malik. The cheques however are not of great probative value as they could have been given to Malik for any number of reasons. However, if all the allegations are taken together, in totality, Malik is clearly guilty for the lesser level of punishments too, of bringing the name of the team into disrepute. The lesser punishments would have been applied to Malik if he had not already been convicted at the higher level.
So, in light of the presence of evidence to support allegation THREE, this Commission recommends that a life ban be imposed on Salim Malik and he be not allowed to play cricket at any level, whether for Pakistan or at the domestic level. He should not be allowed to even associate himself with any cricketing affairs as he may be able to influence the new generation. This includes coaching, managerial offices and selection committees. It is also recommended that other suitable action whether in the form of criminal proceedings or otherwise be taken against Salim Malik. Moreover, an account of his finances needs to be taken and he should be fined Rs. 10 lac.
MUSHTAQ AHMED
Former Pakistan player Saleem Pervez appeared before the Commission of Inquiry and stated that he had paid Mushtaq Ahmed (and Salim Malik) a sum of US$ 100,000. This was for fixing a match in Sri Lanka against Australia for the Singer Trophy in 1994.
The scorecard for that Singer Trophy match shows that Mushtaq Ahmed gave away 34 runs in 10 overs, took two wickets giving away four wides. He remained not out scoring 2 off 3 balls before the 50 overs were completed.
It was interesting that when Mushtaq Ahmed appeared before this commission, he seemed to know already which match we were going to ask him about. And he blurted out, 'I was OK in that match.'
Former Pakistan team coach Javed Miandad said in his statement that Mushtaq had confessed to him that he had a one time involvement in match-fixing.
Mr. Javed Burki has also stated that Mushtaq and Malik were often seen at a Khalid Gitty's, a bookie's residence. He added that Mr. Naeem Gulzar can confirm this. However, when Mr. Gulzar appeared he named Malik and Ijaz as likely culprits in match-fixing but stated he did not have any proof. He did not deny or confirm Mr. Burki's allegations.
The scorecard for that Singer Trophy match shows that Mushtaq Ahmed gave away 34 runs in 10 overs, took two wickets giving away four wides. He remained not out scoring 2 off 3 balls before the 50 overs were completed.
It was interesting that when Mushtaq Ahmed appeared before this commission, he seemed to know already which match we were going to ask him about. And he blurted out, 'I was OK in that match.'
Former Pakistan team coach Javed Miandad said in his statement that Mushtaq had confessed to him that he had a one time involvement in match-fixing.
Mr. Javed Burki has also stated that Mushtaq and Malik were often seen at a Khalid Gitty's, a bookie's residence. He added that Mr. Naeem Gulzar can confirm this. However, when Mr. Gulzar appeared he named Malik and Ijaz as likely culprits in match-fixing but stated he did not have any proof. He did not deny or confirm Mr. Burki's allegations.
FINDINGS, REASONS & RECOMMENDATIONS:
While this Commission is minded to accept the testimony of Saleem Pervez after he managed to withstand cross-examination (taking note of the inconsistencies raised by Mr. Azmat Saeed in Pervez's statements), it is difficult to believe after looking at Mushtaq's figures, that he was trying to throw away the match. His performance in the context of the match was better than most. If one were to compare this with the performance of others then it appears difficult to hold that Mushtaq was involved in match-fixing, not giving his best. The two wickets he took were of the Waugh twins. This raises some doubt in my mind that Mushtaq was involved. There is, of course, a possibility that if Mushtaq was involved in match-fixing, he could well have used someone else to bowl or bat badly. However, there is no evidence to this effect.
There is of course as earlier mentioned one source of strong corroboration that may be checked for support of Saleem Pervez's testimony and that is Mr. Aftab Butt. Mr. Butt will be examined soon and a supplementary report will be made following up shortly on the heels of this Report.
While this Commission cannot for the time being make a finding of guilt to the requisite standard because, in fairness to Musthaq, Mr. Butt needs to be examined, there are sufficient grounds to cast strong doubt on Mushtaq Ahmad. He has brought the name of the Pakistan team into disrepute with inter alia associating with gamblers. This Commission therefore recommends that Mushtaq Ahmed be censured, kept under close watch and be not given any office of responsibility (selection or captaincy) in the team or on the board. Furthermore, he should be fined Rs. 3 lac.
Final findings against Mushtaq on the charge of match-fixing will soon follow in the Supplementary statement.
WASIM AKRAM
Wasim Akram has been the captain of the Pakistan team in several stints from 1993 till the present.
ALLEGATION ONE: INVOLVEMENT IN ATTEMPTING TO FIX THE CHRISTCHURCH MATCH
In his statement before this commission of inquiry Ata-ur-Rehman had alleged that Wasim Akram had paid him a sum of Rs 100,000 to bowl badly in a match in New Zealand, in Christchurch in 1993-94. He said Akram had in fact promised him Rs 200,000 but paid him half the amount promising to pay the rest later if Ata continued to cooperate. He said Akram had told him that Ijaz Ahmed had fixed the game with Zafar Alias Jojo in Pakistan.
Ata-ur-Rehman subsequently again appeared before the Commission and stated that while he was in Newcastle, England, Wasim Akram had asked him to see his solicitors and sign a new affidavit (in response to Aamir Sohail's affidavit). This affidavit was contradictory to the previous one. He says he signed this second affidavit under coercion and threats from Wasim Akram that he has a lot of contacts in Pakistan and would get him fixed if he did not give the second affidavit. Wasim Akram provided a ticket to Ata to travel to London. The ticket was produced and the ticket, according to Ata, was charged to Akram's credit card. Counsel for Wasim Akram has accepted that the ticket was on Akram's credit card.
Ata-ur-Rehman was subsequently recalled on the request of Wasim Akram for cross-examination. He appeared before the Commission on the 3rd of September, 1999. While being subjected to cross examination he did a complete about-turn and went back on the earlier statement. He categorically stated that he had earlier given a false statement in which he had involved Wasim Akram. He said he had made the said statement under some misunderstanding. He was immediately put on ECL (Exit Control List) and subsequently issued with a notice for perjury.
Later, when Ata-ur-Rehman appeared before this Commission again, to be issued a show-cause notice for perjury, he stated that he had in fact been induced by Aamir Sohail to make a statement against Wasim Akram and that the affidavit was also given at his instance. He however reiterated that Wasim Akram had supplied him with a ticket for travelling from Newcastle to London and that that ticket was charged to Wasim Akram's credit card.
In view of Ata-ur-Rehman's volte-face, corroboration was sought in support of his earlier or later affidavit. In support of the earlier affidavit, three sources presented themselves:
One was Imran Khan. Imran Khan had earlier stated in his statement that the only knowledge he had of match-fixing was of when Ata had told him that Wasim had paid him to throw the Christchurch match. Ata told him this after the news about the first affidavit had broken in the papers. Ata accepted this too.
The second source of corroboration was Rashid Latif. Mr. Latif states in this Christchurch match Wasim Akram had declared himself unfit before the Pakistanis took the field. He was holding his shoulder as if in pain even before the first ball was bowled. He only bowled six overs and did not even complete his spell. According to Latif, no balls and wides were bowled deliberately by Wasim Akram and on at least two occasions the balls were bowled so wide that the wicket keeper could not get to it and the opposition got eight wides at a crucial time in the game. These runs were given away at a time when the weather was turning nasty and with rain imminent the Pakistani bowlers could have saved the match but they were bowling in such a hurry that the run rate was accelerated and NZ won the game. In one-day cricket bowlers never bowl bouncers as they can give away too many runs but the Pakistani bowlers deliberately bowled bouncers. In Rashid's opinion, as he had a clear view from his place behind the stumps, Wasim (and Salim Malik) were the main culprits for Pakistan's loss.
The scorecard shows that the Pakistani bowlers gave away 25 extras. (lb8, w14, nb3). Twenty five extras means not only 25 bonus runs for the opposition but 17 no balls and wides total means they had a gift of 17 extra deliveries to score runs off.
The third source was the Rashid Latif and Ata conversation on tape. Ata has denied that the voice on the tape was his.
Still on the Christchurch match, Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam when asked in court, said that Akram had been fit for that game. However, he stated that at the time the match did not appear to his to have been fixed.
Rashid Latif on Akram's injury, said that Akram was feigning injury as he had been rubbing his shoulder even prior to the start of the New Zealand batting.
ALLEGATION TWO: WITHDRAWAL FROM THE WORLD CUP 1996 QUARTERFINAL.
In the Bangalore quarter final against India during the 1996 World Cup, Wasim Akram decided at the last minute not to play the match. This according to vice-captain Aamir Sohail was fatal to the outcome of the game as he was asked to captain the side five minutes before the toss.
In cross examination Wasim Akram said he was injured. In his statement before this honorable court strike bowler Waqar Younis said that it was not the normal practice for injured players to travel with the team.
Team physiotherapist Dan Keisel in his statement in court said that Wasim was allowed to travel to Bangalore because the injury was minor. He said when he examined him in Bangalore the day before the match Wasim was sure that he would be fit to play, keeping in view the importance of the game.
Aamir Sohail stated that Wasim had told him he was fit and will be playing even the night before. But at the last instant on the day of the match, he said he could not play.
ALLEGATION THREE: TAMPERING WITH THE BATTING ORDER TO FIX MATCHES IN THE INDEPENDENCE CUP AND AT SHARJAH
Former captain Majid Khan, ex-Chief Executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board has said that during the 1997 Independence Cup in Lahore Wasim Akram as captain deliberately did not send in form players to bat at crucial times and consistently promoted himself in the batting order. When confronted with this Wasim, admitted his mistake and, although he was the captain, said that he did not know who the in form players were. A month later in a Sharjah tournament, the Singer Champions Trophy 1997-98, Wasim repeated the same mistake despite being admonished by the coach Haroon Rasheed and the Chief Executive, Majid Khan. Majid says that when he went to Sharjah briefly and spoke to the coach Haroon Rasheed, his reply was that the team could not win matches if the captain did not want to win them.
Wasim Akram had consistently promoted himself in the batting order above the in form players thereby making the target difficult for Pakistan to achieve. He persisted in sending out of form batsmen in the top order positions. He again went above Azhar Mahmood and in an important Sharjah game scored 4 off 19 balls and Pakistan lost the match despite being in a comfortable position.
ALLEGATION FOUR: GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
Aaqib Javed in his statement said that Wasim Akram had threatened to keep him out of the team so long as he was captain. This transpired after Aaqib had been instructed to contact Saleem Pervez, accept a sum of Rs 40 lacs and a vehicle in order to join the team the Sri Lanka. Aaqib said he declined after which Akram said Aaqib would never play. Aaqib did not play for Pakistan till Wasim Akram was not available for the captaincy.
In his statement Aaqib named Malik and Akram as two of the main persons of match-fixing.
Former captain Javed Miandad said that during his captaincy he had been informed by Idress (Cadbury), who is the brother of alleged bookie Hanif Cadbury, that Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and another player whose name he could not remember was on his brother's books.
In the Singer Trophy final, Rashid also mentions that Wasim Akram was reprimanded by coach Intikhab Alam for using his mobile phone in the dressing room when mobiles were not to be switched on as per the rules of the Pakistan Cricket Board. He stated that he had heard Wasim say of a match that 'he did not know' implying that Wasim did not know whether that match was fixed or not.
The other players who had mobile phones, a time when they were not so common, were Malik and Younis. Intikhab says the Pakistan Cricket Board management had arrived at the conclusion a long time ago that these mobiles were used by players to maintain contact with the bookies.
In his statement before this commission of inquiry Ata-ur-Rehman had alleged that Wasim Akram had paid him a sum of Rs 100,000 to bowl badly in a match in New Zealand, in Christchurch in 1993-94. He said Akram had in fact promised him Rs 200,000 but paid him half the amount promising to pay the rest later if Ata continued to cooperate. He said Akram had told him that Ijaz Ahmed had fixed the game with Zafar Alias Jojo in Pakistan.
Ata-ur-Rehman subsequently again appeared before the Commission and stated that while he was in Newcastle, England, Wasim Akram had asked him to see his solicitors and sign a new affidavit (in response to Aamir Sohail's affidavit). This affidavit was contradictory to the previous one. He says he signed this second affidavit under coercion and threats from Wasim Akram that he has a lot of contacts in Pakistan and would get him fixed if he did not give the second affidavit. Wasim Akram provided a ticket to Ata to travel to London. The ticket was produced and the ticket, according to Ata, was charged to Akram's credit card. Counsel for Wasim Akram has accepted that the ticket was on Akram's credit card.
Ata-ur-Rehman was subsequently recalled on the request of Wasim Akram for cross-examination. He appeared before the Commission on the 3rd of September, 1999. While being subjected to cross examination he did a complete about-turn and went back on the earlier statement. He categorically stated that he had earlier given a false statement in which he had involved Wasim Akram. He said he had made the said statement under some misunderstanding. He was immediately put on ECL (Exit Control List) and subsequently issued with a notice for perjury.
Later, when Ata-ur-Rehman appeared before this Commission again, to be issued a show-cause notice for perjury, he stated that he had in fact been induced by Aamir Sohail to make a statement against Wasim Akram and that the affidavit was also given at his instance. He however reiterated that Wasim Akram had supplied him with a ticket for travelling from Newcastle to London and that that ticket was charged to Wasim Akram's credit card.
In view of Ata-ur-Rehman's volte-face, corroboration was sought in support of his earlier or later affidavit. In support of the earlier affidavit, three sources presented themselves:
One was Imran Khan. Imran Khan had earlier stated in his statement that the only knowledge he had of match-fixing was of when Ata had told him that Wasim had paid him to throw the Christchurch match. Ata told him this after the news about the first affidavit had broken in the papers. Ata accepted this too.
The second source of corroboration was Rashid Latif. Mr. Latif states in this Christchurch match Wasim Akram had declared himself unfit before the Pakistanis took the field. He was holding his shoulder as if in pain even before the first ball was bowled. He only bowled six overs and did not even complete his spell. According to Latif, no balls and wides were bowled deliberately by Wasim Akram and on at least two occasions the balls were bowled so wide that the wicket keeper could not get to it and the opposition got eight wides at a crucial time in the game. These runs were given away at a time when the weather was turning nasty and with rain imminent the Pakistani bowlers could have saved the match but they were bowling in such a hurry that the run rate was accelerated and NZ won the game. In one-day cricket bowlers never bowl bouncers as they can give away too many runs but the Pakistani bowlers deliberately bowled bouncers. In Rashid's opinion, as he had a clear view from his place behind the stumps, Wasim (and Salim Malik) were the main culprits for Pakistan's loss.
The scorecard shows that the Pakistani bowlers gave away 25 extras. (lb8, w14, nb3). Twenty five extras means not only 25 bonus runs for the opposition but 17 no balls and wides total means they had a gift of 17 extra deliveries to score runs off.
The third source was the Rashid Latif and Ata conversation on tape. Ata has denied that the voice on the tape was his.
Still on the Christchurch match, Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam when asked in court, said that Akram had been fit for that game. However, he stated that at the time the match did not appear to his to have been fixed.
Rashid Latif on Akram's injury, said that Akram was feigning injury as he had been rubbing his shoulder even prior to the start of the New Zealand batting.
ALLEGATION TWO: WITHDRAWAL FROM THE WORLD CUP 1996 QUARTERFINAL.
In the Bangalore quarter final against India during the 1996 World Cup, Wasim Akram decided at the last minute not to play the match. This according to vice-captain Aamir Sohail was fatal to the outcome of the game as he was asked to captain the side five minutes before the toss.
In cross examination Wasim Akram said he was injured. In his statement before this honorable court strike bowler Waqar Younis said that it was not the normal practice for injured players to travel with the team.
Team physiotherapist Dan Keisel in his statement in court said that Wasim was allowed to travel to Bangalore because the injury was minor. He said when he examined him in Bangalore the day before the match Wasim was sure that he would be fit to play, keeping in view the importance of the game.
Aamir Sohail stated that Wasim had told him he was fit and will be playing even the night before. But at the last instant on the day of the match, he said he could not play.
ALLEGATION THREE: TAMPERING WITH THE BATTING ORDER TO FIX MATCHES IN THE INDEPENDENCE CUP AND AT SHARJAH
Former captain Majid Khan, ex-Chief Executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board has said that during the 1997 Independence Cup in Lahore Wasim Akram as captain deliberately did not send in form players to bat at crucial times and consistently promoted himself in the batting order. When confronted with this Wasim, admitted his mistake and, although he was the captain, said that he did not know who the in form players were. A month later in a Sharjah tournament, the Singer Champions Trophy 1997-98, Wasim repeated the same mistake despite being admonished by the coach Haroon Rasheed and the Chief Executive, Majid Khan. Majid says that when he went to Sharjah briefly and spoke to the coach Haroon Rasheed, his reply was that the team could not win matches if the captain did not want to win them.
Wasim Akram had consistently promoted himself in the batting order above the in form players thereby making the target difficult for Pakistan to achieve. He persisted in sending out of form batsmen in the top order positions. He again went above Azhar Mahmood and in an important Sharjah game scored 4 off 19 balls and Pakistan lost the match despite being in a comfortable position.
ALLEGATION FOUR: GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
Aaqib Javed in his statement said that Wasim Akram had threatened to keep him out of the team so long as he was captain. This transpired after Aaqib had been instructed to contact Saleem Pervez, accept a sum of Rs 40 lacs and a vehicle in order to join the team the Sri Lanka. Aaqib said he declined after which Akram said Aaqib would never play. Aaqib did not play for Pakistan till Wasim Akram was not available for the captaincy.
In his statement Aaqib named Malik and Akram as two of the main persons of match-fixing.
Former captain Javed Miandad said that during his captaincy he had been informed by Idress (Cadbury), who is the brother of alleged bookie Hanif Cadbury, that Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and another player whose name he could not remember was on his brother's books.
In the Singer Trophy final, Rashid also mentions that Wasim Akram was reprimanded by coach Intikhab Alam for using his mobile phone in the dressing room when mobiles were not to be switched on as per the rules of the Pakistan Cricket Board. He stated that he had heard Wasim say of a match that 'he did not know' implying that Wasim did not know whether that match was fixed or not.
The other players who had mobile phones, a time when they were not so common, were Malik and Younis. Intikhab says the Pakistan Cricket Board management had arrived at the conclusion a long time ago that these mobiles were used by players to maintain contact with the bookies.
FINDINGS, REASONS & RECOMMENDATIONS.
The first allegation was prima facie the strongest against Wasim Akram. However, having considered the entire evidence, on record, this commission has come to the conclusion that Ata-ur-Rehman in view of his retraction from his earlier statement and various subsequent statements cannot be believed with any degree of certainty. His statement cannot be made the basis of holding Wasim Akram guilty of the offence of match-fixing. Ata's first story was that compelling that if Ata-ur-Rehman had not retracted from his earlier statement and if his statement had stood the test of cross-examination, then perhaps this commission might have held Wasim Akram guilty of fixing the Christchurch one-day match. But in the present scenario, this is not possible.
The three possible sources of corroboration that seemed have offered themselves too are too weak to prove the charge or support one of Ata's stories. The sources are as follows:
What Ata told Imran Khan about Wasim making Ata an offer was not contemporaneous; it was not after the New Zealand tour. Ata told Imran Khan after the news broke in the papers. Ata could well have been lying to Imran Khan after the news broke in the papers to support his story, to save face, or for any number of reasons.
Rashid Latif's statement against Wasim Akram. It is just his personal opinion. While this Commission gives Rashid Latif's testimony a lot of weight generally, in this instance the facts do not really support his assertions. 6.3 overs for 17 runs may be magnificent bowling (even in the context of a low scoring match.) Moreover, the Commission has to take into consideration Rashid's state of mind during that match. Rashid had been just offered money by the Captain. He may well have been a tad paranoid. This possibility of paranoia must be taken account of.
The taped of the conversation between Ata-ur-Rehman and Rashid Latif cannot provide good, independent corroboration as Ata once more may well have been lying to Rashid Latif. Further, for the reasons earlier stated the tapes cannot be taken as anything other than weak corroboration.
Use of a cellular phone and a reprimand for it cannot result in guilt. A phone is not an incriminating object.
As regards the sub-allegation that Akram was feigning injury, it can be said that there is no proof either way. Rashid and Intikhab only give personal opinions. Akram could well have injured himself during the Pakistan inning. Even Wisden seemed to note that the injury was authentic.
Most crucially, as regards allegation one, the Aamir Sohail factor was introduced into the matters by Ata-ur-Rehman, the 'Aamir Sohail factor' being the allegation that Aamir Sohail induced Ata to make the statement against Wasim Akram. While this commission is minded to disbelieve anything Ata-ur-Rehman says in light of the number of times he has changed his statement, it must still consider whether Aamir Sohail could have influenced Ata's into making a false first affidavit. Even if it appears unlikely, there is a chance that Aamir Sohail did. This introduces some doubt in my mind about Ata's first affidavit.
Aamir Sohail by his subsequent actions ironically seems to clear Wasim Akram. When Sohail later became the captain of the Pakistan team, he played Wasim under him. Even recently Sohail agreed to play under the man he said is likely to be crooked. In all of this Aamir Sohail gives some credence to Ata's statements that Aamir Sohail put him up to making the first affidavit and that it was false. Moreover, it needs be noted that when Aamir Sohail appeared initially before this Commission he was the Captain of Pakistan and had nothing substantial to say. This was despite his making a lot of allegations in the press. Even Ata-ur-Rehman talks of this in his taped conversation with Rashid Latif. Thereafter, once he had left the Captaincy he came back on 19.12.98 to the court with several allegations. All of this damages Aamir Sohail's credibility and gives some credence to Ata's second statement.
As regards allegation one on its own, this commission is left with no option but to hold Wasim Akram not guilty of the charge of match-fixing. This the Commission does so only by giving Wasim Akram the benefit of the doubt. This is done on the ground of insufficient evidence. Wasim is barely saved through Ata-ur-Rehman's discrediting himself and Aamir Sohail's actions.
As regards allegation two on its own, in light of Dr. Dan Keisel and Intikhab Alam's statement, Wasim Akram cannot be said to have been feigning injury. Therefore he is cleared.
As regards allegation three on its own, of tampering with the batting order to fix the match, it has been said that Wasim was trying to take responsibility by going in himself, a risk that failed. This commission is willing to give the benefit of the doubt to Wasim Akram.
As regards general allegations, although Rashid Latif has made allegations against him but the same have not been substantiated with any evidence. Likewise the statement of Javed Miandad or that for matter Ms. Fareshteh Gati-Aslam or Majid Khan is not sufficient for arriving at a finding of guilt.
Although Aaqib Javed's statement too does not hold some weight as all Aqib said was that someone allegedly delivered Wasim's threat. As such this is strictly hearsay and inadmissible.
In favor of Akram, there is the evidence of police inquiries made into the kidnapping of his father. The two inquiries have revealed that the kidnapping did not concern match-fixing or gambling.
However, once this commission looks at the allegations in their totality, this commission feels that all is not well here and that Wasim Akram is not above board. He has not co-operated with this Commission. It is only by giving Wasim Akram the benefit of the doubt after Ata-ur-Rehman changed his testimony in suspicious circumstances that he has not been found guilty of match-fixing. He cannot be said to be above suspicion. It is, therefore, recommended that he be censured and be kept under strict vigilance and further probe be made either by the Government of Pakistan or by the Cricket Board into his assets acquired during his cricketing tenure and a comparison be made with his income. Furthermore, he should be fined Rs. 3 lac.
More importantly, it is further recommended that Wasim Akram be removed from captaincy of the national team. The captain of the national team should have a spot-less character and be above suspicion. Wasim Akram seems to be too sullied to hold that office.
WAQAR YOUNIS
ALLEGATION ONE: RECEIPT OF A CAR
According to Aaqib Javed, Waqar Younis, among others received a car from Saleem Pervez. This was a Pajero car and he and one other player to Aaqib's knowledge received it. On Aaqib's insistence, Aaqib says Waqar then returned it.
ALLEGATION TWO: INVOLVEMENT IN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE CHRISTCHURCH MATCH
Rashid Latif has stated that Waqar was one of the four who were in the room when Malik offered Rashid a bribe. Waqar along with two others has denied this.
ALLEGATION THREE: GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
Former captain Javed Miandad said that during his captaincy he had been informed by Idress (Cadbury), who is the brother of alleged, now deceased, bookie Hanif Cadbury, that Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and another player whose name he could not remember were on his brother's books.
Intikhab Alam says that after the Singer Trophy match against Australia in Sri Lanka, when the team went to the hotel, he received a call from a caller who did not divulge his name. He stated that he had lost Rs 40 lacs and that four to five players had sold themselves. Intikhab thereafter called Waqar Younis, Salim Malik and Basit Ali to his room.
Intikhab Alam also says that when the Pakistan team lost the Mandela Trophy finals in South Africa in 1994-95, he received a call from an anonymous person who said that 7/8 players had been bought over and Waqar Younis was among those.
Rashid Latif mentions that Wasim Akram was reprimanded by manager Intikhab Alam for using his mobile phone in the dressing room in Sri Lanka when mobiles were not to be switched on as per the rules of the Pakistan Cricket Board. The other players who had mobile phones, a time when they were not so common, were Malik and Younis. Akram Raza also mentioned that Waqar had a mobile phone when asked of match-fixing.
According to Aaqib Javed, Waqar Younis, among others received a car from Saleem Pervez. This was a Pajero car and he and one other player to Aaqib's knowledge received it. On Aaqib's insistence, Aaqib says Waqar then returned it.
ALLEGATION TWO: INVOLVEMENT IN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE CHRISTCHURCH MATCH
Rashid Latif has stated that Waqar was one of the four who were in the room when Malik offered Rashid a bribe. Waqar along with two others has denied this.
ALLEGATION THREE: GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
Former captain Javed Miandad said that during his captaincy he had been informed by Idress (Cadbury), who is the brother of alleged, now deceased, bookie Hanif Cadbury, that Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and another player whose name he could not remember were on his brother's books.
Intikhab Alam says that after the Singer Trophy match against Australia in Sri Lanka, when the team went to the hotel, he received a call from a caller who did not divulge his name. He stated that he had lost Rs 40 lacs and that four to five players had sold themselves. Intikhab thereafter called Waqar Younis, Salim Malik and Basit Ali to his room.
Intikhab Alam also says that when the Pakistan team lost the Mandela Trophy finals in South Africa in 1994-95, he received a call from an anonymous person who said that 7/8 players had been bought over and Waqar Younis was among those.
Rashid Latif mentions that Wasim Akram was reprimanded by manager Intikhab Alam for using his mobile phone in the dressing room in Sri Lanka when mobiles were not to be switched on as per the rules of the Pakistan Cricket Board. The other players who had mobile phones, a time when they were not so common, were Malik and Younis. Akram Raza also mentioned that Waqar had a mobile phone when asked of match-fixing.
FINDINGS, REASONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
As regards allegation one alone, the receipt of a car, Waqar has denied it. No other evidence has been forthcoming to support Aaqib's allegation, not from Aaqib nor from Saleem Pervez. Even if one car was received, it was returned. If Waqar had fixed match for the car, he was likely to have retained it. Perhaps the car was just a lure and Waqar returned it. With no evidence forthcoming, one cannot say. Since the allegedly received car was returned, the matter therefore needs not be further investigated.
As regards allegation two alone, fixing the Christchurch match, in light of denials by two of the three players allegedly present, this Commission cannot say that Waqar was involved in fixing the match. Furthermore, it is too great a jump for a person to say conclusively that just by the fact that an offer was made before a player to fix a match, the person who listened in was involved too.
As regards the general allegations, they are generally baseless. No evidence has been proffered to support them. The evidence against Waqar Younis is primarily hearsay (even then mostly from anonymous sources) and unsubstantiated. Possession of a cellular phone has no probative value unless it is alleged to have been used during a match to fix that match. As such they alone are insufficient to hold Waqar Younis guilty to the requisite standard.
However, all the allegations taken together warrant some action against Waqar Younis. Two of Waqar's own managers and someone reputed to be his friend, Aaqib Javed have alleged wrongdoing against him. These appear sufficient grounds for recommending a censure. Moreover, that Waqar Younus should be kept under observation and investigated.
Further, during proceedings it was felt that Waqar Younus has been reluctant to help this commission and even when prompted was not fully forthcoming. It is therefore recommended that he be fined Rs. 1 lac.
INZAMAM-UL-HAQ, AKRAM RAZA
Rashid Latif has deposed that these two were among the four players who were present when Salim Malik made him an offer to throw the 5th One Day match at Christchurch against New Zealand. The implication is that they were involved to some extent in match-fixing.
While a place a lot of weight can be placed on Rashid Latif's testimony, in the absence of any other evidence and in light of denials from the co-accused, it is not possible to find them guilty of match-fixing. However, it is recommended that these players be warned, kept under observation and their finances be investigated.
Furthermore, when asked about the Christchurch match, the partial amnesia that these players seem to have developed was distressing. It is understandable that these players have played too many games (except for Akram Raza and Basit Ali) to recall all of them. Nevertheless, there have not been that many matches about which allegations of match-fixing have been made. It was interesting to see one of them remembered the weather of the match, but did not recall any other details. This commission believes that these players probably knew more than they revealed. For not being forthcoming, these players too should be fined Rs. 1 lac each and they be kept under observation.
BASIT ALI
Intikhab Alam stated that when Pakistan played Australia in the Singer Trophy in Sri Lanka in 1993-94, they lost the game despite being in very good form. (This is the same match in which Saleem Pervez, in his statement says he paid Salim Malik (along with Mushtaq Ahmed) a sum of US$100,000 to drop the game.) Intikhab Alam says that after that match, when the team went to the hotel, he received a call from a caller who did not divulge his name but stated that he had lost Rs 40 lacs and that four to five players had sold themselves. He called Malik, Waqar Younis and Basit Ali to his room. While Malik and Waqar denied match-fixing, Basit said he had been involved.
This is confirmed in Intikhab Alam's tour report for the South Africa/ Zimbabwe 1994-95:
'Basit Ali is the only player in the Pakistan team who have [sic] made a confession that he has been involved in betting, his retirement from cricket is just to save himself.'
There is also the matter of the taped conversation between Salim Malik and Basit Ali and Rashid Latif. In it Basit complains to Salim that Wasim is here in town and he is putting allegations on me.
Basit Ali has been named as among those four players who were in the room when Rashid Latif was made an offer. Basit Ali was ill with Jaundice and therefore not available to confirm or deny this. Due to the deadline of the commission, this lead could not be followed.
Basit Ali denied having ever made a confession to Intikhab Alam. This plus the fact that Intikhab Alam was removed from the post of manager because of mismanagement and negligence in investigating the reports of match-fixing, there is insufficient evidence to find Basit Ali guilty of any sort of match-fixing.
Given that Basit retired and has distanced himself from Cricket, he is not even guilty of bringing the name of the Pakistan team into disrepute. This Commission therefore believes that no strong action needs to be taken against him. Basit has had the dignity and common sense to retire. He should be allowed to be, as long as he stays out of Cricket.
ZAHID FAZAL
Zahid Fazal was allegedly the carrier of a message to Saeed Anwar from Salim Malik to fix a match against Australia in the Singer Trophy in Sri Lanka. Indirectly, allegedly, he was involved in a fix. So he was called by the commission and under oath he denied that the message he took in contained anything suspicious. He said that the message he took in was to tell Saeed Anwar to take singles and not boundaries, and to try to bat out the whole match. He said he took the message in only once. This contradicts Saeed Anwar's statement that the message was sent to him repeatedly. However, that is appears to be nothing suspicious and such inconsistencies are to be expected for a match so long ago.
In the absence of any evidence against him, this commission finds Zahid Fazal not guilty of any match-fixing offence.
SAEED ANWAR
In the Singer Trophy match against Australia, Saeed Anwar was sent a message by Salim Malik through Zahid Fazal. The allegation made by Aamir Sohail among others has been that the message was to get out or do something similar.
Saeed Anwar has denied that the message contained anything suspicious. He is supported in this by Zahid Fazal's testimony. Saeed himself in his supplementary statement has said that the message was to be careful. However, Saeed Anwar says he was surprised when he received the message repeatedly as he was batting well and was nearing his fifty.
Saeed Anwar thereafter developed cramps and retired hurt on 43* from 80/2 to 124/5 when he resumed with a runner, only to be out on 46. All this was in the context of chasing a low score of 179 by Australia and Pakistan failing with one wicket in hand and at 151 when the overs ran out.
Javed Burki has stated that Saeed had confessed to him that the message indeed was to get out. And that Saeed has promised to give this in writing. However, Saeed had come back to him and said that he could not do that as his brother had been threatened. Saeed has denied these as contents of the message, but has accepted that his brother was threatened.
The tapes handed in by Rashid Latif reveal that there was something Saeed Anwar was going to reveal, which Mr. Arif Abbassi knew, but he did not do so.
According to Aamir Sohail's statement, Saeed wanted to pay kaffara during the South Africa tour because of helping fix the above match. Saeed felt that he was out of form because of God's curse. It should be noted that South African tour was some time after the Singer Trophy match in which Saeed Anwar retired hurt for no apparent reason and came back to bat at no. 6 when it was impossible to win.
This is corroborated by Rameez Raja in his statement before the interim probe committee. The Probe Committee's Report reads:
'Saeed Anwar was also being accused of betting and he i.e. Saeed Anwar had also once in 1994-95 during the South African tour regretted before him to be a part of the conspiracy (of match-fixing) though he avoided his direct involvement in direct words.'
Saeed Anwar has denied that the message contained anything suspicious. He is supported in this by Zahid Fazal's testimony. Saeed himself in his supplementary statement has said that the message was to be careful. However, Saeed Anwar says he was surprised when he received the message repeatedly as he was batting well and was nearing his fifty.
Saeed Anwar thereafter developed cramps and retired hurt on 43* from 80/2 to 124/5 when he resumed with a runner, only to be out on 46. All this was in the context of chasing a low score of 179 by Australia and Pakistan failing with one wicket in hand and at 151 when the overs ran out.
Javed Burki has stated that Saeed had confessed to him that the message indeed was to get out. And that Saeed has promised to give this in writing. However, Saeed had come back to him and said that he could not do that as his brother had been threatened. Saeed has denied these as contents of the message, but has accepted that his brother was threatened.
The tapes handed in by Rashid Latif reveal that there was something Saeed Anwar was going to reveal, which Mr. Arif Abbassi knew, but he did not do so.
According to Aamir Sohail's statement, Saeed wanted to pay kaffara during the South Africa tour because of helping fix the above match. Saeed felt that he was out of form because of God's curse. It should be noted that South African tour was some time after the Singer Trophy match in which Saeed Anwar retired hurt for no apparent reason and came back to bat at no. 6 when it was impossible to win.
This is corroborated by Rameez Raja in his statement before the interim probe committee. The Probe Committee's Report reads:
'Saeed Anwar was also being accused of betting and he i.e. Saeed Anwar had also once in 1994-95 during the South African tour regretted before him to be a part of the conspiracy (of match-fixing) though he avoided his direct involvement in direct words.'
In Saeed Anwar's favour, a lot of people have said he is clean. Even one of the tapes seems to support this.
In light of the above, this commission itself unable to find any compelling evidence to the requisite standard that Saeed Anwar was involved in match-fixing a particular match.
However, with the totality of evidence this commission does believe that Saeed Anwar has by his actions brought doubt onto himself. Further, this commission felt that Saeed Anwar was witholding some evidence from the Commission. In light of all of this it is recommended that Saeed Anwar be fined Rs. 1 lac and that he be kept under observation.
IJAZ AHMAD
Mr. Ata-ur-Rehman in his affidavit has stated that the match in Christ Church against New Zealand was fixed by Mr. Ijaz Ahmad and Zafar Ali alias Jojo. He had been told this by Wasim Akram.
Rashid Latif stated in his supplementary statement that just before he was made an offer by Salim Malik to throw the Christchurch one day, Salim was on the phone with someone called Ijaz. Rashid believed that this was Ijaz Ahmad but could not say for certain whether it was Ijaz Ahmad.
In his statement in court Mr. Intikhab Alam has mentioned Mr. Ijaz Ahmad, as one of the players involved in betting and match-fixing. Mr. Alam however gave no further evidence to support his allegation.
Ijaz was said to have associated with gamblers on tour. He has denied this.
According to Haroon Rashid, Ijaz was instrumental in slowing down the batting in the match against Sri Lanka in the Will Cup 1997/98 in Lahore. Ijaz made 94 off of 110 balls and Pakistan lost the match.
There is little evidence to support that Mr. Ijaz Ahmad is or was involved in match-fixing. Ata-ur-Rehman stands discredited and in any event his allegation is hearsay. Rashid Latif could not identify Ijaz Ahmad as being a culprit with certainty. The other allegations are without proof. Mr. Haroon Rashid's allegation is moreso. Anyone who scores 94 off of 110 balls on any sort of a wicket cannot be said to be fixing a match.
Rashid Latif stated in his supplementary statement that just before he was made an offer by Salim Malik to throw the Christchurch one day, Salim was on the phone with someone called Ijaz. Rashid believed that this was Ijaz Ahmad but could not say for certain whether it was Ijaz Ahmad.
In his statement in court Mr. Intikhab Alam has mentioned Mr. Ijaz Ahmad, as one of the players involved in betting and match-fixing. Mr. Alam however gave no further evidence to support his allegation.
Ijaz was said to have associated with gamblers on tour. He has denied this.
According to Haroon Rashid, Ijaz was instrumental in slowing down the batting in the match against Sri Lanka in the Will Cup 1997/98 in Lahore. Ijaz made 94 off of 110 balls and Pakistan lost the match.
There is little evidence to support that Mr. Ijaz Ahmad is or was involved in match-fixing. Ata-ur-Rehman stands discredited and in any event his allegation is hearsay. Rashid Latif could not identify Ijaz Ahmad as being a culprit with certainty. The other allegations are without proof. Mr. Haroon Rashid's allegation is moreso. Anyone who scores 94 off of 110 balls on any sort of a wicket cannot be said to be fixing a match.
As such in lieu of evidence to the contrary, this Commission finds Ijaz Ahmad not guilty of match-fixing. No action needs to be taken against him other than that he, as has been recommended with other players, should present an account of his personal finances to the Board. He should also take care so as to not associate with bookies.
ATA-UR-REHMAN
Ata has prima facie perjured himself. Proceedings have been instituted against him separately.
On the charge of match-fixing, this Commission has Ata's confession which he has later resiled from. As against Ata that confession can still be believed. However, against the co-accused Wasim Akram, it is not admissible. By believing Ata-ur-Rehman's first affidavit, this Commission recommends a ban on him from international cricket for life.
In light of his perjury, it is further found that he has brought the name of the Pakistan team into disrepute. Therefore, Ata-ur-Rehman should also be fined Rs. 4 lac, twice the amount of money, he first claimed he took from Wasim Akram.
SAQLAIN MUSHTAQ
Haroon Rasheed has stated that Saqlain bowled suspiciously against India in the Karachi One Dayer as he gave away 16/17 runs to the tailenders in his last over to lose match.
Saqlain has explained that he could not grip the ball properly as the umpires had changed the ball and had given him a new ball albeit sanded down to bowl with. This Commission accepts his explanation. There is no evidence to cast doubt on Saqlain. In fact, Saqlain should consider it a perverse compliment that he is considered so good that each time he goes for runs in the death overs people think he must be doing it purposely.
THE TEAM AS A WHOLE
Rashid Latif has stated in his statement that the whole team in New Zealand other than Asif Mujtaba and possibly Aamir Sohail was involved in match-fixing. In other matches too, different people have made allegations against a substantial part of the team. However, this commission finds no evidence to support this. Most of the allegations, beyond those against three or four individuals, appear conjecture or based on hearsay.
This commission finds a lot of truth in what Saeed Anwar said in one of Rashid Latif's tapes: 'Is waqt sab ko sab par shaq ho raha hai.' (At this moment everyone is suspecting everyone). Paranoia can account for a lot of what was said, for most of the allegations.
Various cricket experts like Imran Khan, Javed Miandad have stated that for a match to be fixed at least 5-7 players ought to be bought. As seen above, this commission could not find conclusive evidence against as many players, thus on the whole the team is cleared of blame.
The current team is in any event a largely new one, and one invested in youth. They are as yet unsullied. Care should be taken so as to ensure they remain so. To this end recommendations are made later in this Report.
OTHER OBSERVATIONS
First and foremost, this Commission must acknowledge Mr. Rashid Latif, albeit with some reservation because, of inter alia, the tainted evidence he handed in. Nevertheless, his persistence in pursuing this matter needs to be appreciated. If he had not taken the steps he did, the Australians may well have not come forward openly and this Commission would not have been able to clear the air. To this end, as mentioned later, Rashid Latif be given immunity from offences arising out the tapping of phones, if the conversation therein produced was for use by this commission and was produced in an authentic form (see recommendations later).
It must be noted with great regret that a number of people were quite uncooperative and not forthcoming in these proceedings:
For one, this commission must take note of the counterproductive nature of those who promised much but had little or no evidence. Mr. Aamir Sohail needs to be pinpointed. He promised a lot in public, gave a lot of interviews but in court he came to be non-committal. If he had no evidence then he should have remained quiet about the matter. Later, he came up with further allegations which he should have made in the first instance. Generally if people have no evidence, then they should not vilify people in public. Moreover, Aamir Sohail's case was sad as he by his later actions has effectively condoned the corruption that he had alleged and the people he had accused.
This commission felt a lot of the time that most of the people appearing before it were not telling the truth, or at least not that whole truth. Even more regretful was the attitude and statements of those who said they had not even heard of match-fixing. Some appeared tutored, while others seemed unwilling to blow the whistle. Mr. Waqar Younus, for one, initially said he had not even heard of anyone being involved in match-fixing. Inzamam-ul-Haq similarly seemed to suffer from amnesia. They both needed stern prompting to speak true and even then it is doubtful they spoke the whole truth. This commission understands that people feel a sense of loyalty towards players they have played with, but such a feeling is very misplaced. Corruption in any walk of life ought to be weeded out and by withholding information people do themselves and all around them a great disservice. Prompting should not be needed to tell the truth.
This commission must also take notice of the (in)action of Mr. Asif Iqbal. His name has been bandied around the most during this inquiry as being the first Pakistani involved in match-fixing and even now when allegations are made of gambling in Sharjah, his name features. The Ehtesaab Bureau also reports against him. Yet he has never came forward to clear his name. Asif Iqbal legally does not need to come forward and defend himself. But morally, he ought to have cleared the air.
The attitude of the Australian Cricket Board needs to be appreciated with some reservation. They initially did not present their players to Justice Ebrahim for cross-examination. That goes to their discredit. (They had to their credit however invited the Ebrahim inquiry to Australia.) However, since the tour of Pakistan and particularly the embarrassment of their players as regards their own involvement in bribery, the ACB has been very helpful. All expenses for the representatives of the Commission to go and be in Australia were paid by the ACB and all requests by way of protocol were entertained. The Australians fully accommodated the Commission in Australia and that has to be appreciated: they provided the sub-commission with a Court room, one right down to the picture of the Quaid, allowed the Pakistani court-dress code with gowns, and followed Pakistani evidence procedure.
However, it must be noted with regret that Mr. Waugh and Mr. Warne were initially not above board. They could have volunteered their involvement with bookies in confidence. This information was material as to why they were asked by Salim Malik to fix the Test Match. It appears that after Sri Lanka and dealings with John, the word was out in the gambling community that Warne and Waugh could possibly be bought. As such the green light was given for Salim Malik to approach them. That they declined Malik's offer goes to their credit. That they withheld this information from this Commission goes against them.
It is of great regret that the commission was prevented from inquiry into the World Cup through a notification dated 18th August, 1999 after having initially been given the green light through a notification on the 16th August, 1999. Questions about the team's performance in the final and against Bangladesh still linger and looking into that matter would have only helped clear up the air.
This Commission would like to extend its thanks to all concerned with the inquiry. Mr. Ali Sibtain Fazli as amicus curiae and his associates have been invaluable to the court. The counsels for the accused, Mr. Khwaja Tariq Raheem, Mr. Azmat Saeed and Mr. Tariq Shamim are to be appreciated too for their efforts. Information sources such as CricketInfo, Wisden and articles by Mark Ray, Fareshteh Gati-Aslam, Donald Topley, Imtiaz Sipra etc. for reference and background were useful. Mr. Abdus-Salam Khawar, Additional Registrar High Court was tireless in his assistance. The concerns of the public at large are to be appreciated too. While for obvious reasons this commission has tried to stay away from the many letters it received regarding this inquiry, all of them were read by assistants who indicate that all of them deserve to be acknowledged. The amusing and encouraging ones need to appreciated and the angry ones need to be told that Cricket is only a game and the players only human beings.
It must be noted with great regret that a number of people were quite uncooperative and not forthcoming in these proceedings:
For one, this commission must take note of the counterproductive nature of those who promised much but had little or no evidence. Mr. Aamir Sohail needs to be pinpointed. He promised a lot in public, gave a lot of interviews but in court he came to be non-committal. If he had no evidence then he should have remained quiet about the matter. Later, he came up with further allegations which he should have made in the first instance. Generally if people have no evidence, then they should not vilify people in public. Moreover, Aamir Sohail's case was sad as he by his later actions has effectively condoned the corruption that he had alleged and the people he had accused.
This commission felt a lot of the time that most of the people appearing before it were not telling the truth, or at least not that whole truth. Even more regretful was the attitude and statements of those who said they had not even heard of match-fixing. Some appeared tutored, while others seemed unwilling to blow the whistle. Mr. Waqar Younus, for one, initially said he had not even heard of anyone being involved in match-fixing. Inzamam-ul-Haq similarly seemed to suffer from amnesia. They both needed stern prompting to speak true and even then it is doubtful they spoke the whole truth. This commission understands that people feel a sense of loyalty towards players they have played with, but such a feeling is very misplaced. Corruption in any walk of life ought to be weeded out and by withholding information people do themselves and all around them a great disservice. Prompting should not be needed to tell the truth.
This commission must also take notice of the (in)action of Mr. Asif Iqbal. His name has been bandied around the most during this inquiry as being the first Pakistani involved in match-fixing and even now when allegations are made of gambling in Sharjah, his name features. The Ehtesaab Bureau also reports against him. Yet he has never came forward to clear his name. Asif Iqbal legally does not need to come forward and defend himself. But morally, he ought to have cleared the air.
The attitude of the Australian Cricket Board needs to be appreciated with some reservation. They initially did not present their players to Justice Ebrahim for cross-examination. That goes to their discredit. (They had to their credit however invited the Ebrahim inquiry to Australia.) However, since the tour of Pakistan and particularly the embarrassment of their players as regards their own involvement in bribery, the ACB has been very helpful. All expenses for the representatives of the Commission to go and be in Australia were paid by the ACB and all requests by way of protocol were entertained. The Australians fully accommodated the Commission in Australia and that has to be appreciated: they provided the sub-commission with a Court room, one right down to the picture of the Quaid, allowed the Pakistani court-dress code with gowns, and followed Pakistani evidence procedure.
However, it must be noted with regret that Mr. Waugh and Mr. Warne were initially not above board. They could have volunteered their involvement with bookies in confidence. This information was material as to why they were asked by Salim Malik to fix the Test Match. It appears that after Sri Lanka and dealings with John, the word was out in the gambling community that Warne and Waugh could possibly be bought. As such the green light was given for Salim Malik to approach them. That they declined Malik's offer goes to their credit. That they withheld this information from this Commission goes against them.
It is of great regret that the commission was prevented from inquiry into the World Cup through a notification dated 18th August, 1999 after having initially been given the green light through a notification on the 16th August, 1999. Questions about the team's performance in the final and against Bangladesh still linger and looking into that matter would have only helped clear up the air.
This Commission would like to extend its thanks to all concerned with the inquiry. Mr. Ali Sibtain Fazli as amicus curiae and his associates have been invaluable to the court. The counsels for the accused, Mr. Khwaja Tariq Raheem, Mr. Azmat Saeed and Mr. Tariq Shamim are to be appreciated too for their efforts. Information sources such as CricketInfo, Wisden and articles by Mark Ray, Fareshteh Gati-Aslam, Donald Topley, Imtiaz Sipra etc. for reference and background were useful. Mr. Abdus-Salam Khawar, Additional Registrar High Court was tireless in his assistance. The concerns of the public at large are to be appreciated too. While for obvious reasons this commission has tried to stay away from the many letters it received regarding this inquiry, all of them were read by assistants who indicate that all of them deserve to be acknowledged. The amusing and encouraging ones need to appreciated and the angry ones need to be told that Cricket is only a game and the players only human beings.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In order to prevent match-fixing in the future it is recommended�
That the Captain of Pakistan Cricket team should be a person of impeccable character and not someone anyone can point a finger at. From the evidence recorded, it can be seen that the Captain is the key player to be bought to fix a match. Hence, this strong recommendation.
That similarly, the manager should be a person of impeccable character. A manager should realize that there are people on this earth who would lie even on oath. A manager needs to keep a stern hand with the players.
That all foreign tours should take along an independent third party, an ombudsman of sorts to deal with players complaints and indiscipline. Such a person could be the chairman of the PCB or his impartial nominee.
That a new code of conduct should be introduced for the players. The ICC code of conduct needs to be tightened and more provisions need to be introduced, targeting specifically the threat of match-fixing. To this end, under the code, players should be stopped from associating with known bookies or people who are convicted of match-fixing and similar offences. Such terms should be made a pre-condition to employment by the PCB and should be incorporated into the players' contracts.
That a permanent Review Committee should be formed to look into inter alia allegations of the match-fixing in the future. It should consist of people independent of the Board. The members of the review committee should have a good knowledge of cricket and have clean records. The Committee may also have a member being a former judge of the High Court or the Supreme Court of Pakistan. At the end of tours such a committee should look into the performance of the team and allegations of irregularities if any. Whenever there are any allegations, whether of match-fixing, ball-tampering or any other misconduct, the match should be reviewed by the Committee and its report should be submitted to the board. Such a committee should be prompt in its disposal of the matters raised, as lingering over the matter only makes matters worse.
That, inter alia, in order to facilitate the review committee, it should be made mandatory on the Board to collect video recordings of all the matches that have been played by the team and stored in its library. Such video recordings should be free of advertisements as it is when these ads are being shown i.e. at fall of wickets and change of ends that suspicious interchanges are likely to occur. This latter point is particularly raised as the moment in the Christchurch one-dayer where Salim Malik allegedly is said to have been angry with Rashid Latif for taking a catch is cut out by an advertisements break.
That the Review Committee adopt the two sub-offences approach to match-fixing as used by this Commission. This would allow it to sideline or warn players well before they can damage to the good name of the team.
That the PCB should adopt a zero tolerance approach in this matter.
That Pakistani cricketers should declare their assets at the time they start their career and annually submit their asset forms to the Pakistan Cricket Board. This would ensure that their assets can be compared with their earnings and spendings. Such information may be kept confidential by the PCB. The Board should also compare these figures against figures obtained through independent inquiries from the players' employers (Counties, Leagues, Banks, etc.)
That players be forbidden to speak to the press unless authorized though a clause in their contract like the one contained in the ACB contract. Only after all PCB avenues of recourse have been exhausted can a player be excused from going to the press. This restriction may be limited to controversial matters only if the Board is so minded.
That in conjunction to the ban on speaking to the press, the PCB should actively take to defending its players, present and past, and not allow anyone to defame them. The players are the PCB's true capital and it should recognize that.
That generally Pakistani Law needs a summary procedure for damages for defamation. Such a procedure would be a deterrent to baseless allegation and would provide satisfaction to the innocents accused.
That the ban on cellular phones and outside communication generally during matches should be strictly applied. Phones, if necessary, can be routed through the manager. Any breach of this regulation should be strictly taken note of.
That generally discipline of the team be strictly monitored and maintained. Allowing minor breaches to go unpunished leads to players taking liberties and bigger breaches follow.
That players be prepared for the possibility that they can be blackmailed. Gamblers try to lure them in with all sorts of offers. Offers of cars, women, etc. can all lead to blackmail if accepted. We have seen it happen to others. Pakistani players should not be left naïve and it should be the duty of the board to educate these players when they come into the team as to the dangers and temptations are to that are faced by them.
That the Pakistan Cricket Board should consider not seending Pakistan to venues which are reputed to be dens of bookies.
That this report should be released to the public. To give it wide publication this may also be released on the internet too. To this end a copy of the report is submitted on disk too (Microsoft Word format).
That the PCB increase the pay of its Cricketers and develop for them more avenues of income (some are suggested below). It has been noticed that the Cricket Board is no longer a body which is running on grants by either the Federal government or by Federal Government institutions. The Board has of late become self-reliant and it is believed that the coffers of the Board are full. The Board after all generates money through the players and in all fairness the players deserve to receive more than they are presently receiving. An ACB cricketer earns in the region of US$250,000 to US$400,000 plus almost as much in endorsements on the side. Currently the PCB pays Pakistani cricketers around US$70,000 a year. Pakistani players for all their talent are not as well-paid as their counterparts abroad. As long as they are underpaid the tendency to be bribed remains. However, it should also be stated that such increases should not be to as high a level as some other countries because the cost of living in Pakistan as regards to the other countries is much lower. An increase with an eye on the standard of living in Pakistan is the order of the day.
That there are other avenues for funds that can be tapped by cricketers or the PCB on their behalf. Memoirs, biographies, tour diaries, sale of autographs and memorabilia can provide cricketers with adequate secondary remuneration. Moreover, with chances of playing cricket abroad (County, League, etc.) and employment available locally for cricketers (banks, etc.), this Commission finds it very painful to see that a cricketer would accept a bribe for instant money than avail any of the above noted opportunities for clean money.
That winning should be made more lucrative to players. To this end, further and more substantial win bonuses should be introduced. If players receive larger sums for playing well and winning tournaments, it would be an incentive to stay straight. No one is born corrupt or a match-fixer. This is especially so in the case of sportsmen. We have all heard of sportsman spirit and it is this spirit that needs to be inculcated into every child while he is developing his skills in the game. It is in this rationale and background that it is suggested that if players were to receive major sums of money for playing well in the form of win bonuses, the very temptation for an innocent sportsman of getting corrupt would in all probability be eliminated. This would, of course, be a scenario after all corrupt elements have been weeded out and punished.
That the pay structure of the PCB to its players be revised. Instead of being only based on seniority, when paying players, their performances, past and recent, should be worked into the pay-structure too. A player who fixes a match by getting a low score will feel the affects in his pay packet. That might be another incentive to stay straight. The pay structure now is strange in that if Salim Malik came back to the team he would get more than say Shoaib Akhtar. This leads to dissatisfaction among the younger stars and raises the possibility of corruption.
That, witnesses should be reimbursed for all the expenses they have incurred in following up this matter.
That Rashid Latif be given immunity for the offence of tapping phones as long as such an offence was committed so as to assist this commission of inquiry and the tapes were produced before this commission in an unedited and authentic form. For the purpose of this immunity, there be a presumption that the tapes are authentic unless proven otherwise: the burden to prove them fakes lies on the parties alleging they are fake. Thereafter, fakes may well be acted upon.
That the Pakistan Government should investigate gambling in Pakistan. Gambling is against Islamic law, yet the extent to which it is carried out in Pakistan and tolerated was a revelation. The people named in the Ehtesaab Report and the ones captured during this inquiry need to be investigated and prosecuted.
That, the following avenues if the patron be so minded be investigated. Inter alia, for lack of time, these were not pursued.
A more thorough investigation into allegation of match-fixing in domestic matches.
Verification of all the Rashid Latif tapes, inter alia by confronting players with them. (Saeed Anwar, Javed Burki, Arif Abbassi, etc.)
That, it needs to be said to the general public, this matter now needs to be put to rest. When they react to losses, the Public should be more tolerant in its criticism and remember that cricket is still a game of chance and the players are indeed human still. The other team is there to play too and the Pakistan team is not that invincible, at least not all of the time, that if they lose or fail to come from behind there must be something amiss. Even some of the Pakistan team coaches need to take note of that. (Haroon Rasheed's allegation against Saqlain was ludicrous.)
That, to those disappointed with their fallen heroes, it be suggested that humans are fallible. Cricketers are only cricketers. Please maintain a sense of perspective when you react and criticize.
That the Captain of Pakistan Cricket team should be a person of impeccable character and not someone anyone can point a finger at. From the evidence recorded, it can be seen that the Captain is the key player to be bought to fix a match. Hence, this strong recommendation.
That similarly, the manager should be a person of impeccable character. A manager should realize that there are people on this earth who would lie even on oath. A manager needs to keep a stern hand with the players.
That all foreign tours should take along an independent third party, an ombudsman of sorts to deal with players complaints and indiscipline. Such a person could be the chairman of the PCB or his impartial nominee.
That a new code of conduct should be introduced for the players. The ICC code of conduct needs to be tightened and more provisions need to be introduced, targeting specifically the threat of match-fixing. To this end, under the code, players should be stopped from associating with known bookies or people who are convicted of match-fixing and similar offences. Such terms should be made a pre-condition to employment by the PCB and should be incorporated into the players' contracts.
That a permanent Review Committee should be formed to look into inter alia allegations of the match-fixing in the future. It should consist of people independent of the Board. The members of the review committee should have a good knowledge of cricket and have clean records. The Committee may also have a member being a former judge of the High Court or the Supreme Court of Pakistan. At the end of tours such a committee should look into the performance of the team and allegations of irregularities if any. Whenever there are any allegations, whether of match-fixing, ball-tampering or any other misconduct, the match should be reviewed by the Committee and its report should be submitted to the board. Such a committee should be prompt in its disposal of the matters raised, as lingering over the matter only makes matters worse.
That, inter alia, in order to facilitate the review committee, it should be made mandatory on the Board to collect video recordings of all the matches that have been played by the team and stored in its library. Such video recordings should be free of advertisements as it is when these ads are being shown i.e. at fall of wickets and change of ends that suspicious interchanges are likely to occur. This latter point is particularly raised as the moment in the Christchurch one-dayer where Salim Malik allegedly is said to have been angry with Rashid Latif for taking a catch is cut out by an advertisements break.
That the Review Committee adopt the two sub-offences approach to match-fixing as used by this Commission. This would allow it to sideline or warn players well before they can damage to the good name of the team.
That the PCB should adopt a zero tolerance approach in this matter.
That Pakistani cricketers should declare their assets at the time they start their career and annually submit their asset forms to the Pakistan Cricket Board. This would ensure that their assets can be compared with their earnings and spendings. Such information may be kept confidential by the PCB. The Board should also compare these figures against figures obtained through independent inquiries from the players' employers (Counties, Leagues, Banks, etc.)
That players be forbidden to speak to the press unless authorized though a clause in their contract like the one contained in the ACB contract. Only after all PCB avenues of recourse have been exhausted can a player be excused from going to the press. This restriction may be limited to controversial matters only if the Board is so minded.
That in conjunction to the ban on speaking to the press, the PCB should actively take to defending its players, present and past, and not allow anyone to defame them. The players are the PCB's true capital and it should recognize that.
That generally Pakistani Law needs a summary procedure for damages for defamation. Such a procedure would be a deterrent to baseless allegation and would provide satisfaction to the innocents accused.
That the ban on cellular phones and outside communication generally during matches should be strictly applied. Phones, if necessary, can be routed through the manager. Any breach of this regulation should be strictly taken note of.
That generally discipline of the team be strictly monitored and maintained. Allowing minor breaches to go unpunished leads to players taking liberties and bigger breaches follow.
That players be prepared for the possibility that they can be blackmailed. Gamblers try to lure them in with all sorts of offers. Offers of cars, women, etc. can all lead to blackmail if accepted. We have seen it happen to others. Pakistani players should not be left naïve and it should be the duty of the board to educate these players when they come into the team as to the dangers and temptations are to that are faced by them.
That the Pakistan Cricket Board should consider not seending Pakistan to venues which are reputed to be dens of bookies.
That this report should be released to the public. To give it wide publication this may also be released on the internet too. To this end a copy of the report is submitted on disk too (Microsoft Word format).
That the PCB increase the pay of its Cricketers and develop for them more avenues of income (some are suggested below). It has been noticed that the Cricket Board is no longer a body which is running on grants by either the Federal government or by Federal Government institutions. The Board has of late become self-reliant and it is believed that the coffers of the Board are full. The Board after all generates money through the players and in all fairness the players deserve to receive more than they are presently receiving. An ACB cricketer earns in the region of US$250,000 to US$400,000 plus almost as much in endorsements on the side. Currently the PCB pays Pakistani cricketers around US$70,000 a year. Pakistani players for all their talent are not as well-paid as their counterparts abroad. As long as they are underpaid the tendency to be bribed remains. However, it should also be stated that such increases should not be to as high a level as some other countries because the cost of living in Pakistan as regards to the other countries is much lower. An increase with an eye on the standard of living in Pakistan is the order of the day.
That there are other avenues for funds that can be tapped by cricketers or the PCB on their behalf. Memoirs, biographies, tour diaries, sale of autographs and memorabilia can provide cricketers with adequate secondary remuneration. Moreover, with chances of playing cricket abroad (County, League, etc.) and employment available locally for cricketers (banks, etc.), this Commission finds it very painful to see that a cricketer would accept a bribe for instant money than avail any of the above noted opportunities for clean money.
That winning should be made more lucrative to players. To this end, further and more substantial win bonuses should be introduced. If players receive larger sums for playing well and winning tournaments, it would be an incentive to stay straight. No one is born corrupt or a match-fixer. This is especially so in the case of sportsmen. We have all heard of sportsman spirit and it is this spirit that needs to be inculcated into every child while he is developing his skills in the game. It is in this rationale and background that it is suggested that if players were to receive major sums of money for playing well in the form of win bonuses, the very temptation for an innocent sportsman of getting corrupt would in all probability be eliminated. This would, of course, be a scenario after all corrupt elements have been weeded out and punished.
That the pay structure of the PCB to its players be revised. Instead of being only based on seniority, when paying players, their performances, past and recent, should be worked into the pay-structure too. A player who fixes a match by getting a low score will feel the affects in his pay packet. That might be another incentive to stay straight. The pay structure now is strange in that if Salim Malik came back to the team he would get more than say Shoaib Akhtar. This leads to dissatisfaction among the younger stars and raises the possibility of corruption.
That, witnesses should be reimbursed for all the expenses they have incurred in following up this matter.
That Rashid Latif be given immunity for the offence of tapping phones as long as such an offence was committed so as to assist this commission of inquiry and the tapes were produced before this commission in an unedited and authentic form. For the purpose of this immunity, there be a presumption that the tapes are authentic unless proven otherwise: the burden to prove them fakes lies on the parties alleging they are fake. Thereafter, fakes may well be acted upon.
That the Pakistan Government should investigate gambling in Pakistan. Gambling is against Islamic law, yet the extent to which it is carried out in Pakistan and tolerated was a revelation. The people named in the Ehtesaab Report and the ones captured during this inquiry need to be investigated and prosecuted.
That, the following avenues if the patron be so minded be investigated. Inter alia, for lack of time, these were not pursued.
A more thorough investigation into allegation of match-fixing in domestic matches.
Verification of all the Rashid Latif tapes, inter alia by confronting players with them. (Saeed Anwar, Javed Burki, Arif Abbassi, etc.)
That, it needs to be said to the general public, this matter now needs to be put to rest. When they react to losses, the Public should be more tolerant in its criticism and remember that cricket is still a game of chance and the players are indeed human still. The other team is there to play too and the Pakistan team is not that invincible, at least not all of the time, that if they lose or fail to come from behind there must be something amiss. Even some of the Pakistan team coaches need to take note of that. (Haroon Rasheed's allegation against Saqlain was ludicrous.)
That, to those disappointed with their fallen heroes, it be suggested that humans are fallible. Cricketers are only cricketers. Please maintain a sense of perspective when you react and criticize.
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