Cricket has always put itself forth as a gentleman's game. However, this aspect of the game has come under strain time and again, sadly with increasing regularity. From BodyLine to Trevor Chappel bowling under-arm, from sledging to ball tampering, instances of gamesmanship have been on the rise. Instances of sportsmanship like Courtney Walsh refusing to run out a Pakistani batsman for backing up too soon in a crucial match of the 1987 World Cup; Imran Khan, as Captain calling back his counterpart Kris Srikanth to bat again after the latter was annoyed with the decision of the umpire; batsmen like Majid Khan walking if they knew they were out; are becoming rarer yet. Now, with the massive influx of money and sheer increase in number of matches played, cricket has become big business. Now like other sports before it (Baseball (the Chicago 'Black-Sox' against the Cincinnati Reds in the 1919 World Series), Football (allegations against Bruce Grobelar; lights going out at the Valley, home of Charlton Football club)) Cricket faces the threat of match-fixing, the most serious threat the game has faced in its life.
Match-fixing is an international threat. It is quite possibly an international reality too. Donald Topley, a former county cricketer, wrote in the Sunday Mirror in 1994 that in a county match between Essex and Lancashire in 1991 Season, both the teams were heavily paid to fix the match. Time and again, former and present cricketers (e.g. Manoj Prabhakar going into pre-mature retirement and alleging match-fixing against the Indian team; the Indian Team refusing to play against Pakistan at Sharjah after their loss in the Wills Trophy 1991 claiming matches there were fixed) accused different teams of match-fixing. The Sri Lankan Board ordered an inquiry after a complete batting collapse led to their loss in the Singer Cup Final against Pakistan, the match that at a stage they were easily winning. Very recently allegations that have come to the fore through Chris Lewis, Stephen Flemming etc. and they only demonstrate the world-wide nature of this threat.
However, this commission is limited to inquiring into the matter so far as the Pakistan Cricket team is concerned. For the Pakistani Cricket Team, the allegation of match-fixing seems to have started when Asif Iqbal was the captain of the Pakistani team in 1979-80. Asif was accused of betting on the toss. G. Vishwanath, an Indian cricketer in his book has written that when he went for the toss with the Pakistani Skipper, the latter without completing the toss said "congratulations" to the former, saying that the Indian skipper had won the toss.
In the Press Fareshteh Gati-Aslam, a Sports Journalist, wrote that in a one day match held at Nottingham, UK, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis deliberately bowled so badly that England team scored more than 300 runs, though earlier they had totally demolished the English Team in the Test Series.
In the 1994-95 season, the Australian team toured Pakistan and lost the Test Series 1-0. After the series, three of the Australian players, Shane Warne, Tim May and Mark Waugh accused the then Pakistani Captain, Salim Malik, of offering them bribes to bowl badly in a test and a one-day. (Pakistan had eventually won the test match by one wicket.)
In the backdrop of these allegations, the Pakistan Cricket Board (the 'PCB') requested Jst. (Retd.) Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim to hold an inquiry into the allegations by the Australian players against Salim Malik. He submitted his report on October 21, 1995 in which he acquitted Salim Malik of all the charges primarily on the basis of insufficient evidence on record. The Australian Cricketers had refused to come to Pakistan to testify and that was crucial.
Almost at the same time as the Australian allegations,Pakistani cricketers Basit Ali and Rashid Latif had accused some of the Pakistani players of match-fixing. Both even went into pre-mature retirement during an important tour of South Africa. Aaqib Javed and Aamir Sohail also came up with similar kind of allegations.
In the interim, a Probe Committee inquiry chaired made by Justice Ejaz Yousuf was also made which tentatively suggested that certain players be suspended from playing Cricket. However, this inquiry was abandoned as it was felt that the Committee did not have the powers of a judge which could compell people to speak up. Furthermore, this enquiry was done ex parte and no opportunity was given to the accused to cross-examine witnesses or have representation. As such this inquiry was in breach of natural justice and may be disregarded. (The Senate too has thereafter looked into the matter.) The above difficulties are mentioned in the letter from the then Chief Executive Majid Khan to the Patron of the Board, the President of Pakistan.
In such circumstances, the former Chief Executive of Pakistan Cricket Board, Mr. Majid Khan decided to write to the Patron. In the said letter Majid Khan requested that a judicial inquiry be conducted into the allegations of betting and match-fixing, as he felt that only a judicial commission would be able to find the truth. Ordinary domestic inquiry officers had no power vested in them to either summon any person, nor to compel their attendance or to make them give statements on oath and in case they perjured, to be able to deal with them.
The Patron was so minded to forward the matter to the Federal Government which in turn requested the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court to nominate one judge for a one man judicial Commission under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1956. On the recommendation of the Learned Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Malik Muhammad Qayyum was appointed to this Commission.
The Commission of Inquiry was given its mandate in the following terms:-
To probe into the allegations regarding betting and match-fixing against the members of the Pakistan Cricket Team.
To determine and identify the persons including members of the team responsible for betting and match-fixing.
To recommend such actions as may be appropriate; and
To suggest measures to avoid any future incidence.
PART II
THE INQUIRY & PROCEDURE
The appointment of this Commission was made through a Notification dated 13th of August, 1998. In terms of the Notification, all the secretarial services and assistance were to be provided by Pakistan Cricket Board.
This Commission was faced with a rather difficult task at its outset. There was no legislation on match-fixing, no rules and regulations that this commission could go by. In effect, this Commission had to start from scratch.
This Commission was appointed under the Commission of Inquiry Act 1956. Under the said Act, it was empowered to determine its own procedure. So the Commission decided that rules of natural justice like hearing and right of cross-examination must be applied. It consequently heard not only the persons accused of match-fixing but also allowed them the opportunity to cross-examine whichever witnesses made allegations against them. The Commission went to the extent of recalling certain witnesses at the request of the accused and also sought clarification from them.
Definition of match-fixing applied:
Therafter the first task at hand was to define what match-fixing was. For the purpose of this inquiry, 'match-fixing' is defined as deciding the outcome of a match before it is played and then playing oneself or having others play below one's/ their ability to influence the outcome to be in accordance with the pre-decided outcome. Match-fixing is done primarily for pecuniary gain.
Match-fixing, as well as an attempt to fix a match, are to be considered an offence for the purpose of this inquiry.
Offences coming under Match-fixing:
This Commission believes that the appropriate punishment for match-fixing is a ban for life and institution of criminal charges. This needs to be so for deterrence reasons among others. As much has been said from most quarters, like Imran Khan, Majid Khan, etc. However, an offence of such a harsh punishment, then requires a high burden of proof. Further, such an offence needs to be established with specifics, most particularly which match was fixed.
With the above parameters set, there then appeared a gap wherein people against whom their own managers and a whole lot of allegations were made, managed to slip through, despite bringing the name of the team and their own name as national sport ambassadors into disrepute. The Commission therefore was minded to consider this an offence too under the umbrella of match-fixing: this, i.e. to bring the name of the team and self as national ambassador into disrepute was to be considered an offence. Such an offence would attract the lesser punishments of censure, fine, investigation and being kept under observation. (The presence of such an offence in the future too would ensure the players act impeeccably and not associate with bookies, etc.)
In short then, the two offences coming under match-fixing are:
Match-fixing,
Bringing the name of the team into disrepute (match-fixing related).
This Commission believes the above is the most balanced system of procedure
such an inquiry can have. Various factors such as fairness to the players,
fairness to the team, and the difficulty of finding proof in such cases
of corruption can herein be balanced.
Burden of proof for offences:
Everyone is innocent in the eyes of this Commission until proven guilty.
A player may play for the country and/ or captain its team until he is
found guilty by this Commission. The burden of proof is on the party making
allegations.
Standard of Proof for a finding of guilt for match-fixing:
grounds for life ban and other high penalties:
With due regard to the submissions of the counsels and the amicus curae
(see Part IV), it must be stated that the burden of proof is somewhere
in between the criminal and normal civil standard.
It is not as high as the counsel for Wasim Akram recommended, that the
case needs to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a commission
of inquiry and not a criminal court of trial so that standard need not
be high. The Lone Commission report was a report on its own facts and
needs to be distinguished.
Having said that, it must also be added that this Commission is aware
of what consequences a preliminary, tentative finding of guilt in this
Report will have on the career of a player. If this Report is released
to the public, a finding of guilt are likely to effectively amount to
a conviction. The player is likely to lose his livelihood for the time
being and possibly the prime of his career. Therefore, the submission
by the amicus that the standard of proof should be lower as all the commission
is doing is making recommendations is not completely accepted.
Moreover, there are a number of other reasons why the standard of proof
for a finding of guilt is not as low as the amicus proposes. The amicus
bases his submission on Munir's evidence tome. That book while
authoritative was written many years ago. In those days perjury was not
as widespread. So the standard could be low. Now, there needs to be much
higher standard as with the general decline in moral standards, people
do perjure themselves. In fact, before this commission a person did perjure
himself. Generally too it was felt that the whole truth was not forthcoming
from several people in this case. Hence the higher standard of proof than
the preponderance of probabilities.
Lastly, as to the proof of guilt, it must be added that for the Commission
to be convinced, to arrive at a finding of guilt, it must be convinced
of the specifics of the offence. More than anything, the Commission needs
to know that one particular match was fixed. Actions taken before or after,
inferences of disposition from or later allegations, in regards to other
matches will not figure in the determination of guilt of match-fixing.
Standard of proof for bringing own and the name of the
team into disrepute (match-fixing related): grounds for censure, being
kept under observation:
While the commission has set itself a rather high standard that needs
to be satisfied in order to arrive at a finding of guilt, it is also aware
that in cases of bribery and match-fixing direct evidence is hard to come
by. One has to draw inferences and rely on expert opinion. As such for
the offence of bringing a player's own name (as an international representative
of the nation) and that of the Pakistan Cricket team giving a censure
and lower levels of punishment, this commission will look at the allegations
in their totality too. That is to say that while the commission needs
to be certain that a person fixed a particular match or attempted to fix
that match in order to recommend a ban and criminal charges, if a person
appears on the totality of allegations against him to be, on the balance
of probabilities (on the civil standard) to be involved in suspicious
activities, the lesser penalties such as a censure, fine and an order
for the player to be kept under observation can be set-out.
As such, it is believed that in the instance of persons upon whom doubt
has been shed by a number of their own colleagues, grounds for investigation
ought to be of a lower standard. In light of the fact that several of
the managers who may be termed experts on cricket opined that there was
match-fixing, while the Commission does not believe a finding of guilt
can be established, the Commission does believe such evidence can be grounds
for censure, further investigation of finances, and recommendation of
keeping the accused under observation. Herein, players against whom there
seems to be a trend of allegations but no solid proof for individual instances,
can be chastised.
The cut-off point (added after this enquiry had been
going on for a year)
The primary emphasis of investigation by this Commission as will be
seen has been around the two names that have been brought up the most,
Salim Malik and Wasim Akram. However, other names also appeared either
having been brought up by people called or those that have cast suspicion
on themselves by their own actions or through Rashid Latif's tapes. As
a consequence of these other leads and names, this inquiry has grown and
grown as the commission has sought to pursue more and more leads. More
and more time has been taken and extensions have been sought from the
Federal Government.
In all of this, the commission has been aware that its report has been
dubbed 'much-delayed' in the public. Therefore, a cut-off point needed
to be settled, so as not to leave players and the public in suspense.
The pressure the players have been kept under now for a year would be
too unfair to continue. This cut-off point has been set at before the
team leaves for the Sharjah and Australia tour, when the sixth extension
for this commission expires. As such this commission closes its inquiry
on the 30th of September, 1999. The Report will be submitted
before the team leaves for Sharjah.
(Note dated 30th of September, 1999) Due to the cut-off point,
certain leads were not completely followed up. Some were not followed
as they were likely to provide information already available (Dan Keisel's
tape seemed to, according to Rashid Latif, duplicate Keisel's own testimony
and Aamir Sohail's allegations) or because these leads were against people
against whom there was already sufficient evidence (re: Saeed Anwar lead
regarding Salim Malik making him an offer from Rashid Latif's testimony.)
Some leads were not followed up against secondary players (Saeed Anwar,
Basit Ali) for their lesser involvement because there was just not enough
time. In the rush to complete the report at the end, a vital lead against
Mushtaq Ahmad (i.e. Mr. Butt) despite best efforts was not forthcoming.
This lead is currently being chased up.
(Note dated 12th of October, 1999) The Federal Government
has kindly granted this Commission an extension till the 30th
of October, 1999. However, this Commission, in view of fairness to the
players accused, is sending this Report on to the Sports Minister today.
Final Reports against Mushtaq and Salim Malik will be completed by a Supplementary
Report shortly to follow.
Leads not followed up are listed later in the report, so that the Patron
can have them pursued if he is so minded.
PART III
EVIDENCE PRODUCED BEFORE COMMISSION
The Commission started its inquiry on 9th of September 1998
and summoned various persons together with evidence regarding the matter
under reference.
The persons who were called to testify in this regard included former
cricketers and officials of Pakistan Cricket Board, namely (in order of
appearance):
Mr. Sarfraz Nawaz
Mr. Yawar Saeed Butt
Mr. Arif Ali Khan Abbasi
Mr. Javed Burki
Mr. Basit Ali
Mr. Haroon Rashid
Mr. Salim Malik
Mr. Ijaz Ahmad
Mr. Rameez Raja
Mr. Aaqib Javaid
Mr. Ata-ur-Rehman
Dr. Amir Aziz
Dr. Zafar Altaf
Mr. Aamir Sohail
Dr. Dan Keisal
Mr. Wasim Akram
Mr. Waqar Younus
Mr. Rashid Latif
Mr. Intikhab Alam
Mr. Saleem Pervez
Mr. Khalid Mahmood
Mr. Saeed Anwar
Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad
Mr. Inzamam-ul-Haq
Mr. Imran Khan
Mr. Javed Miandad
Mr. Majid Khan
Mr. Saqlain Mushtaq
Mr. Moin Khan
Mr. Shahid Afridi
Mr. Azhar Mahmood
Mr. Akram Raza
Mr. Zahid Fazal
In addition to above, following Sports Journalists were also examined by the Commission:-
Ms. Fareshteh Gati-Aslam
Ms. Kameela Hayat
Mr. Imtiaz Sipra
Mr. Shahid Sheikh
Three Australian players were also examined, namely:
Mr. Mark Waugh
Mr. Mark Taylor
3. Mr. Shane Warne
Various other persons have also been examined by the Commission whose names either appeared during the course of statements by other persons or whose names appeared in newspapers or other media during the course of investigation by the Commission. In this regard the following persons appeared before the Commission:-
Mr. Shaukat Javed, DIG Police Lahore Range.
Mr. Naeem Gulzar
Mr. Raja Aftab Iqbal
Mr. Raja Zafar Ali Iqbal alias 'Jojo'
Mr. Zia-ul-Haq, son of Ata-ul-Haq
Mr. Chaudhry Muhammad Khalid
Mr. Abdul Ghafoor Ghani
Mr. Muneeb-ul-Haq son of Atta-ul-Haq
Mr. Akhtar Majeed Bhatti, SHO, Qila Gujar Singh, Lahore.
Mr. Aamer Malik
Mr. Muhammad Usman Ahmad, Executive Magistrate.
Mr. Muhammad Younis
Mr. Qaiser Ali Shah
Mr. Mark Waugh
Mr. Mark Taylor
Mr. Khalid Mehmood
Mr. Aamir Sohail
Mr. Rashid Latif
Mr. Saleem Pervez
Mr. Muhammad Younis
Mr. Javed Miandad
Mr. Wasim Akram
Mr. Inzamam-ul-Haq
Mr. Ata-ur-Rehman
Mr. Aaqib Javed
Mr. Salim Malik
Mr. Waqar Younus
Mr. Akram Raza
Mr. Saeed Anwar
Mr. Zahid Fazal
Mr. Shane Warne.
The first person to appear before the Commission of Inquiry was former cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz. Sarfraz Nawaz was of the opinion that betting on cricket started in 1979-80 when Pakistan was on the tour of India under the captaincy of Mr. Asif Iqbal. He was of the opinion that this spread to Sharjah and it was from there that match-fixing started on a larger scale. He was of the opinion that the 1987 World Cup semi final against Australia at Lahore was fixed and the main culprits were Javed Miandad and two other players. In 1993-94, Sarfraz Nawaz deposed that he was informed by Ch. Khalid alias Gitti in the presence of Manzoor alias Churra and Aslam Shami that Salim Malik was called to Lahore during the tour of Sri Lanka and the match was fixed. Mr. Salim Malik was allegedly paid Rs.40 lacs for fixing this match. In this match Pakistan were 79/1 at one stage but were all out for 149, which clearly showed the mala-fides of the players, according to Mr. Nawaz, and that they were playing under some pre-arranged scheme. Mr. Sarfraz Nawaz was also of the view that the brothers of Salim Malik and Wasim Akram were bookies and the same could be judged by comparison of their assets. He also opined that Mr. Ijaz Ahmad and Salim Malik were involved in gambling at the domestic level too. In October, 1994 in a match between National Bank and Habib Bank, Salim Malik was paid Rs. 10 Lacs.
The next person to appear was Ms. Fareshteh Gati-Aslam, Sports Journalist for "The News". Ms. Gati-Aslam was of the view that Wasim Akram, Salim Malik and Ijaz Ahmad were primarily responsible for match-fixing. She deposed that, according to her, match-fixing started during the English tour of 1992. Similarly, in New Zealand during the last test match and the last one day, the players performed so badly that it made her feel that match-fixing was taking place. It may be mentioned here that Ms. Gati-Aslam refers to the same match in which Ata-ur-Rehman has given a sworn affidavit to the effect that he was asked by Wasim Akram to bowl badly during the test match at Christ Church, New Zealand (Exh. 2). Ms. Gati also deposed that the 1996 World Cup's Quarter-Final between India and Pakistan at Bangalore was fixed and that Mr. Dan Keisel, the Physiotherapist, had informed her that Wasim Akram was faking his shoulder injury. She also deposed that Aaqib Javed had been asked to take Rs. 50 lacs and a Pajero by Mr. Saleem Pervez of the National Bank of Pakistan so that he could also be one of the members on the take and be included in the National team. When Aaqib refused, he got an indirect message from Wasim Akram that he would never be included in the team while Wasim Akram was the captain. According to her, the following players were clean:-
Mr. Rashid Latif
Mr. Azhar Mahmood
Mr. Shoaib Akhtar
Mr. Aamer Sohail; and other junior players.
The next to appear was Mr. Yawar Saeed who was the manager of the team in 1996-97. He was of the view that all the members of the team showed 100% commitment and were not involved in match-fixing.
Mr. Arif Ali Abbasi, the longest serving official of the Pakistan Cricket Board, was next to appear. He deposed that rumors about match-fixing started in 1979 during the captaincy of Asif Iqbal. He alleged that there was a bet on "who will win the toss" and further alleged that the Pakistan Captain having tossed the coin in the air, informed the Indian Captain that the latter had won the toss before the coin landed on the ground. Mr. Arif Ali Abbasi was of the opinion that apart from this there were no signs of match-fixing or gambling. During his tenure in the Ad-hoc Committee, there was a revolt against Wasim Akram and he was removed as Captain. Mr. Majid Khan was made the Manager. Mr. Majid Khan had received telephone calls during the South African tour that the players were throwing away their matches. Then started the tour of Sri Lanka. In that tour, Mr. Intikhab Alam alleged that Mr. Basit Ali, a test player, had confessed before him that he had indulged in match-fixing. Then came the tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa. Salim Malik was the Captain. Mr. Arif Abbasi found that the team's performance was questionable and the Ad-hoc Committee requested to go to South Africa and investigate. Saleem Altaf, who was a Member of the Selection Committee, was sent to South Africa but came back with nothing to report. Before the Zimbabwe series, Australian cricket team came to Pakistan and played in three test matches. No allegation was made during this tour. However, four or five months later, a senior Australian journalist, Phil Wilkins informed Mr. Arif Abbasi that three players had signed affidavits against the Pakistani Captain Salim Malik accusing him of trying to bribe the Australians to lose the first test match in Karachi. Justice Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim was appointed to investigate into this matter. However, because of lack of evidence, Justice Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim announced his judgement that Salim Malik was not guilty. During his tenure, Mr. Arif Abbassi maintained that he never came across any proof against any player including Salim Malik, Wasim Akram and Ijaz Ahmad. He also maintained that before going to India, Mr. Wasim Akram was nursing an injury and had a bandaged arm and ribcage. Also that after the retirements of Rashid Latif and Basit Ali, Mr. Intikhab Alam was given a show-cause notice after the Zimbabwe tour for not reporting the allegation against Basit Ali.
Mr. Javed Burki, who was Chairman of the Selection Committee from 1989 to September, 1992 and Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee of PCB in 1994 also appeared. He was asked by the President of Pakistan to look into the allegations surrounding Pakistani cricket team. The Vice-Captain Mr. Rashid Latif, had accused Mr. Salim Malik of match-fixing during the South African tour in 1995. During his stay in Harare, Rashid Latif personally informed Mr. Burki that Salim Malik and other members of the team - although he did not name them - were indulging in match-fixing. Mr. Burki stated that when he was leaving the Board to the new set up, he had recommended that Salim Malik should never play for Pakistan again and that Ijaz Ahmad and Wasim Akram should be warned. He said he was sure that match-fixing and betting was going on in the Pakistani cricket team. During the Singer Trophy in Sri Lanka and in the summer of 1994, these allegations first appeared in the Press and there were detailed articles in the Friday Times regarding the match that was thrown away in Sri Lanka. During that tour, Salim Malik rung up Mr. Burki and asked for permission to fly to Pakistan so that he could attend a wedding ceremony. Mr. Burki gave him permission but it was alleged that during his visit he struck a deal with Mr. Khalid Gitti to fix one of the matches in the Singer Trophy. Although Saeed Anwar deposed to him that he was asked not to play well during this match, Anwar never made the statement in writing. In the reception arranged by the President's House in honor of Australian and Pakistani, Salim Malik is stated to have offered bribes to two Australian cricketers Mr. Mark Waugh and Shane Warne. Mr. Burki was of the opinion that the allegations were made public by the Australians after our own Vice Captain, Mr. Rashid Latif, accused his Captain for match-fixing. The person who claimed to have had direct knowledge of match-fixing was named by Mr. Javaid Burki as Mr. Naeem Gulzar, c/o Lahore Gymkhana.
Next to appear was Ms. Kamala Hayat who was working as a journalist in England. She had also traveled to South Africa. She claimed that an English man by the name of David Minro had over-heard three Pakistani cricketers namely Mushtaq Ahmad, Wasim Akram and Ijaz Ahmad discussing amongst themselves that the next match in England was fixed and this match was later lost by Pakistan. She also deposed that she had no direct evidence in her possession.
Next to appear was Mr. Basit Ali who was a member of the Pakistani squad from 1993 to 1995. Mr. Basit deposed that he received a call at 8:00 a.m., a day before the Final of the Australasia Cup in Sharjah in 1994, made by a person by the name of Raqeeb who offered him Rs. 10 Lacs if he would get himself out for less than 10 runs. According to Mr. Basit Ali, he informed the Manager, Mr. Intikhab Alam, who called Mr. Basit and the rest of the Pakistani Cricket team to his room at 1:00 p.m. to swear on the Holy Quran that they would perform to their best.
During the tour of South Africa, Mr. Basit Ali saw the renowned bookie Mr. Haneef Cadbury going into the room of certain players. When Aaqib Javed protested to Intikhab Alam, Ijaz Ahmad said that he could not be asked not to see old friends. During the Final, an altercation took place between Salim Malik and Rashid Latif. Salim Malik had apparently decided to bat first in conditions which were favorable for fielding. Mr. Basit Ali stated that he himself had never indulged in match-fixing. Mr. Basit Ali also said that because of the circumstances created by Salim Malik and The Management, he had to resign.
Haroon Rasheed, who is a former member of Pakistan cricket team and was appointed as Coach also appeared. Haroon Rasheed was of the opinion that some matches, including the One Day between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo in Asia Cup 1997, were fixed.
Similarly, in the home One Day series against India at Karachi in 1997, Saqlain Mushtaq gave away 17 runs in the last over. This kind of bowling, according to Haroon Rasheed, was not expected from the caliber of Saqlain Mushtaq and Haroon Rasheed was of the opinion that this match was fixed too.
Haroon Rasheed was of the opinion that the test match played at Faisalabad against South Africa was also fixed when Pakistan were all out for 116 chasing a target of 144 runs in the second innings. Haroon Rasheed also accused Wasim Akram of changing the batting order during various competitions including Pakistan's Independence Golden Jubilee. Wasim Akram, according to Haroon Rasheed, would promote himself ahead of Moin Khan and Azhar Mahmood, break the momentum of the game which would result in loss. Mr. Haroon Rasheed felt that the main culprits were Wasim Akram, Ijaz Ahmad and Salim Malik.
Next to appear was the former Pakistani Captain Salim Malik. He said that he was exonerated by the inquiry conducted by Justice (Retd) Fakhr Uddin G. Ibrahim. As such, allegations against him including the one's leveled by the Australians were false and baseless. He admitted that an altercation had developed between him and Rashid Latif on the issue of who should bat first after winning the toss. He was of the view that the senior players wanted to bowl first, while Rashid Latif insisted that we must bat. He denied that he had fixed the final between National Bank and Habib Bank in domestic cricket. To a question why Shane Warne had accused him, he maintained that he was the only batsman in the world Shane Warne could not get out and as such was nursing a grudge. Regarding the statement made by Haroon Rashid against him for fixing the match of Sahara Cup against India, he maintained that he played with his best ability.
Next to appear was Ijaz Ahmad. Mr. Ijaz Ahmad maintained that he had never heard of match-fixing or betting. When reprimanded, he admitted that Rashid Latif and Basit Ali had resigned during the South African tour because of some allegations. He also admitted that he had sworn on the Holy Quran when Intikhab Alam called him. He said, he never knew of any bookie named Hanif Cadbury or Khalid Gitti. He maintained that as he was related to Salim Malik, allegations against him were there.
Next to appear was Rameez Raja, former Captain of the Pakistani Team. He maintained that the only incident in his entire career when the players were accused of match-fixing, was during the tour of Sri Lanka in 1994.
Next to appear was the Sports Editor of the Daily "The News" Mr. Imtiaz Sipra. He maintained that he did not come across any player indulging in match-fixing.
Aaqib Javed was next to appear before this Commission of Inquiry. He affirmed the assertions that he had received a telephone call from an unknown person in Sri Lanka asking him to contact Saleem Pervez who was allegedly a bookie and receive a sum of Rs. 15 Lacs and a vehicle. He also maintained that he saw one Hanif Cadbury freely mixing with players during the South African tour. He also affirmed that he had received a message indirectly from Wasim Akram that as he was not part of the game, he would never play cricket till Wasim Akram was captain. Aaqib Javed maintained that one of his friends Naeem Gulzar c/o Lahore Gymkhana had some information regarding match-fixing. He also affirmed that an oath was taken on the Holy Quran at the insistence of Mr. Intikhab Alam. He accused Wasim Akram and Salim Malik of being the main culprits.
Next to appear was Ata-ur-Rehman who played for the Pakistan cricket team from 1992 to 1994. He denied that he had made a statement against Wasim Akram before the Probe Committee. However, when the statement was produced before him, he changed his story the next day and confirmed in camera the affidavit that was given by him. According to the affidavit, he was asked to bowl badly by Wasim Akram during the final One Day match at Christ Church. For this, Wasim Akram gave him Rs. 100000/-. However, he maintained that because he was threatened with dire consequences in Manchester, he changed his story under coercion. He also maintained that Wasim Akram paid the air ticket from New Castle to Manchester. He also said that Khalid Mahmood, CHAIRMAN PCB asked him, to retract from his statement. Ata-ur-Rehman, however, in his subsequent cross examination by Wasim Akram retracted from the statement he made against him and said that statement containing allegations against Akram was false.
Mark Waugh, the member of the Australian cricket team who was present in Pakistan, also appeared. He maintained that Mr. Salim Malik approached him during the Presidential reception in 1994 to lose the first test in return for US $200,000. When the offer was made, Shane Warne was standing next to him. He also confirmed that he had given an affidavit to this effect later on.
Mark Taylor also appeared. He produced a written statement which stated that he informed the manager Colin Edgar, and Mr. Bob Simpson about the incident soon after the game. Statement produced as Exhibit-3.
(More details of the Australian evidence below at paragraphs: 96-110.)
Next to appear was Mr. Zafar Altaf, Member of the Ad-hoc Committee during 1994. He deposed that the only evidence that was brought before him was by the Chairman, Zulfiqar Ali Bokhari which were two bank statements of 6000 Dirhams in a bank account in Sharjah belonging to Mr. Salim Malik. He strongly refuted the allegations against Wasim Akram, Ijaz Ahmad and Salim Malik.
Next to appear was Mr. Shaukat Javed, DIG Police, Lahore. He confirmed that he investigated the matter of the kidnapping of Mr. Wasim Akram's father. The culprits, who were later apprehended by the police were, investigated and it was found that Wasim Akram or his father had nothing to do with betting or match-fixing. The DIG was asked to produce the two bookies, Mr. Zafar Ali alias Jojo and someone by the name of Raja.
Next to appear was Mr. Aamir Sohail, the former Pakistani Captain who did not say very much. At that time the Zimbabwean tour was on and he was captaining the National team. (He also subsequently reappeared of his own accord and maintained that there were a large number of allegations of match-fixing and betting during the South African tour.) He stated that as the Pakistan Cricket Board was not doing anything, he decided to go to the Press. He confirmed that he was approached during the Singer Trophy in Sri Lanka and offered Rs. 10 Lacs. He maintained that he was informed five minutes before the start of the Bangalore Quarter Final that he was supposed to lead the team. He maintained that this was not normal practice and that he was sure Wasim Akram would play. Aamir Sohail was subsequently cross-examined by counsels for Wasim Akram and Salim Malik. He stuck to his earlier statement.
Next to appear was Dr. Dan Keisel, the Physiotherapist of the Pakistani cricket team. He confirmed that Wasim Akram was injured during the match against India at Bangalore and was treated with anti-inflammatory drugs. When questioned whether Wasim Akram was fit to play, he maintained that that question was for Mr. Wasim Akram to decide. He also stated that he had asked Wasim to come to him for treatment later. He was not sure if Wasim did.
Next to appear was the Captain of the current Pakistani team Wasim Akram. He confirmed that he was unfit for the match against India at Bangalore. He refuted the allegations leveled against him by Ata-ur-Rehman and maintained that he never offered any money to him. He confirmed that Zafar Ali alias Jojo was his neighbor but was not aware whether he was a bookie. He refuted the allegations that his brother was a bookie and maintained that his brother worked at a show room by the name of Madina Motors. He maintained that Salim Malik was one of the best batsmen in the world. He felt that the attitude of Majid Khan, Chief Executive was antagonistic and on no occasion was his performance appreciated by him. Wasim Akram also subsequently appeared on 3rd September, 1999 in which he answered allegations against the team made by Javed Miandad during the Sharjah Trophy which is dealt with separately.
Next to appear was Mr. Naeem Gulzar who was mentioned by Mr. Aaqib Javed and Javed Burki. He deposed that all cricketers were his friends. He said that Salim Malik and Ijaz Ahmad were involved in match-fixing and betting. However, he had no proof.
Next to appear was Waqar Younis who maintained that he had no knowledge of match-fixing and betting. He clarified that he had received no money or car from any person and maintained that the statement by Mr. Aaqib Javed was not correct. He also confirmed that the members had decided to take oath on the Holy Quran before the start of the match. This was due to Rashid Latif who felt that players were throwing away matches. Aaqib Javed was subsequently recalled and subjected to cross-examination on the 3rd September, 1999 by counsel for Waqar Younis. Aaqib reaffirmed that Waqar had received a car from a bookie. He named the car also Pajero Inter Cooler.
Next to appear was Raja Aftab Iqbal, the elder brother of Zafar Iqbal alias Jojo. He confirmed that he was friendly with Wasim Akram, Ijaz Ahmad and Salim Malik. He also stated that he would occasionally bet at Carry Home Restaurant and Star Video in Gulberg.
Zafar Iqbal alias Jojo also appeared. He maintained that he had never traveled with the Pakistani team abroad. He also maintained that his brother does not involve in betting and match-fixing. At this stage it was felt that the witness was making a wrong statement as his brother, who had appeared earlier, admitted Zafar Iqbal alias Jojo made bets. He was charged with perjury and a notice was issued U/s 476 of the CPC.
Rashid Latif was the next to appear. He maintained that before the fifth One Dayer at Christ Church, he was called by Salim Malik to his room and offered 10 Lacs to throw away the match. There were five other cricketers present in the room. However, he refused to take up the offer. Pakistan, according to Rashid Latif deliberately lost the match. He added that the main culprits were Wasim Akram and Salim Malik. Rashid Latif also confirmed that this was the same match regarding which Ata-ur-Rehman had given an affidavit. He also maintained that Wasim Akram declared himself unfit before the first ball was bowled and as such was feigning injury. In August, 1994, Rashid Latif informed the Court that Saeed Anwar was approached by Salim Malik and was asked to throw away the Singer Trophy match. However, as Saeed Anwar was very close to Rashid Latif, he was informed of the offer. During this match, mobile phones were freely used by Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and Salim Malik. During the 10 day gap between the Singer Trophy held in Sri Lanka and the tour of Sharjah, he flew back with Salim Malik to Pakistan. Salim Malik's luggage was lost and Mr. Rashid Latif was asked to look for it. The bag was found by Rashid Latif. In his bag, Mr. Salim Malik had 50,000 Sri Lankan rupees in cash which, according to Rashid Latif, was the money Salim Malik had won because of match-fixing and betting. Mr. Rashid Latif also maintained that the cricket players gamble amongst themselves and place heavy bets against each other. Rashid Latif confirmed that Saleem Pervez, the former opening batsman of National Bank was a bookie and was seen freely mixing with the players in their hotel rooms. He also confirmed that he had informed Arif Abbasi about the incident. Rashid Latif also confirmed that he had an altercation with Salim Malik during the South African tour as Malik was putting the other team i.e. South Africans to bat when conditions were optimal for batting. He maintained that Salim Malik, when asked, he refused to take an oath on the Holy Quran that the match was fixed. He maintained that he had accused Salim Malik of match-fixing because he himself had been offered money. He maintained that things had gotten so bad that he had to call Arif Abbasi and ask him to come to South Africa. However, Mr. Saleem Altaf was sent. Due to the circumstances prevailing, Rashid Latif decided not to play any longer and announced his retirement. He also produced copies of the cheques issued in favour of Salim Malik and audio cassettes containing conversations of Ata-ur-Rehman and Saeed Anwar.
Next to appear was Ch. Muhammad Khalid alias Gitti. He refuted the allegations leveled by Mr. Sarfraz Nawaz against him. He asserted that he had never visited or seen Salim Malik as was suggested by certain people. He maintained that he had never given Salim Malik Rs. 40 lacs.
Next to appear was Mr. Intikhab Alam, the former Manager. He has been associated with the game for nearly 17 years. He maintained that during the 1994 Final at Sharjah, he started receiving phone calls that the match was fixed. As such he assembled the cricketers and asked them to take an oath on the Holy Quran. He maintained that he was suspicious of the Final that took place in Sharjah against Australia and he called Waqar Younis, Salim Malik and Basit Ali to his room. These were the three players who he suspected were involved. According to him, Basit Ali confessed before him that he had indulged in match-fixing. Further Mr. Intikhab Alam stated that Asif Iqbal, the former Pakistani Captain was linked with bookies. Mr. Intikhab Alam also felt that this last match at Christ Church against New Zealand was fixed. He confirmed that there were rumors during the Mandela Cup final in South Africa that the Pakistani Team was going to lose the match. He stated that an anonymous person called him and alleged that the seven players namely Salim Malik, Wasim Akram, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Basit Ali, Ijaz Ahmad, Mushtaq Ahmad, Moin Khan and Waqar Younis had sold themselves. During the Zimbabwean Tour the allegations that Salim Malik had offered bribes to two Australian players also came up. Mr. Intikhab Alam opined that to fix a match at least five/ six players need to be involved. When asked about the players who he thought were absolutely clean he named Rameez Raja, Aaqib Javed and Aamir Sohail. He confirmed that Salim Pervez was staying in the same Hotel as the cricketers in their tour of Sri Lanka in 1994. Finally, Mr. Intikhab Alam maintained that betting and match-fixing had taken place during his tenure as Manager.
Salim Pervez alias Paijee appeared before this Inquiry and confessed that he himself had handed Salim Malik and Mushtaq Ahmad $ 100,000 to throw away the final in Sharjah against Australia. He stated that the two players had contacted him directly in this connection and had asked for a larger amount but settled for $ 100,000. This match was lost by Pakistan. He confirmed that he was present in Sri Lanka during the Singer Trophy. He was also of the view that the team deliberately lost the Mandela Trophy in South Africa and the Quarter Final in Bangalore. He suspected that Ijaz Ahmad had sold himself during the match in Bangalore. Salim Pervez was subsequently summoned and faced cross-examination. He was first cross examined by Mr. Azmat Saeed, counsel for Malik and later by Mr. Mozamal Khan, counsel for Mushtaq Ahmad. In his cross-examination, Salim Pervez elaborated his statement and stated that he was accompanied by one Mr. Butt who was the main man. He, in reply to a question said that US$ 100,000 were taken by him in his inner garments (underwear) and that he had earlier met Mushtaq Ahmad in Shalimar Hotel, Gulberg.
Next to appear was Mr. Khalid Mahmood, Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board. Mr. Khalid Mahmood deposed that he could not say with certainty that match-fixing took place or not but he opined that he was certain that one day international at Nottingham in 1992 was not fixed. He stated that there was a consistent pattern of accusing the Pakistani cricketers of match-fixing whenever the team was faring well. When asked whether he had any explanation for the allegations leveled by the Australian Team he deposed that the Australian Cricket was known for indulging in tactics like terrorizing the opposition in and off the field which they called "sledging". He hoped that the matter would be resolved once and for all by this Commission of Inquiry.
Next to appear was Saeed Anwar. Saeed Anwar deposed that he never indulged in match-fixing and the statement of Rashid Latif to this effect was wrong. He confirmed that he had appeared before the Probe Committee and given a statement. He denied ever speaking to Mr. Javed Burki regarding the Singer Trophy in Sri Lanka. He felt that he was misunderstood by Mr. Burki.
Next to appear was Mushtaq Ahmad. He confirmed that Salim Pervez was staying in the same hotel as the cricket team and that he knew Salim Pervez. He denied that he had taken money from Saleem Pervez but said that his performance in the said match was very good. When questioned as to how he knew which match the counsel was referring to Mushtaq Ahmad had no answer.
Inzamam-ul-Haq also appeared. In his view the Singer Trophy match against Australia in Sri Lanka was not fixed. Inzamam-ul-Haq confirmed that an altercation had taken place during the South African tour between Captain and Vice Captain but he felt that no match-fixing takes place in Pakistan.
Mr. Imran Khan, former Captain, also appeared before this Commission of Inquiry. He felt that match-fixing had taken place in Pakistani cricket but apart from what Ata-ur-Rehman had told him he had no information regarding match-fixing. Mr. Imran Khan maintained that the involvement of the Captain is imperative if match-fixing is to take place because guaranteeing the results of the match cannot be without the knowledge or consent of the Captain. Mr. Imran Khan also maintained that Intikhab Alam was a decent person and should be believed. He suggested that any one found guilty of match-fixing, should be banned for life and fines should be imposed on them.
Mr. Javed Miandad, former Captain also appeared before this Commission of Inquiry. He stated that he knew Saleem Pervez and had also heard that Saleem Pervez had paid money to some Pakistani players. He also maintained that the Australians were speaking the truth. He suggested that the culprits be punished sternly and be banned for life. He stated that during the Singer Trophy match in 1994, the conduct of Pakistani team was suspicious and he felt that they were involved. He stated that once Mushtaq Ahmad had confessed to him about his involvement in match-fixing. He also stated that senior players had been influencing younger players in order to persuade them to indulge in match-fixing and those who did not agree, were put out of the team.
Javed Miandad was again called by the Commission in August 1999 to ask him as to why he had resigned as Coach of Pakistan team after its tour of Sharjah in 1999. He appeared before the Commission and after some hesitation stated that during the Pakistan match with England at Sharjah, he had received a phone call from someone apparently reliable and whom he did not want to name, who said that the match was fixed. That person told Miandad that Shahid Afridi, Moin Khan, Azhar Mahmood, Salim Malik, Inzamam-ul-Haq had taken money to 'box' the match. He even made Wasim Akram talk to the man. Miandad says he was furious at the team during lunch and say that England who were earlier 40/5 had scored 206. He further went on to state that before he knew what was happening, five of his batsmen were out and the entire team got out for about 135 runs in the 35th over without playing 50 overs.
The said five players were then summoned by the Commission on the 3rd September, 1999. All these players denied match-fixing and on the contrary said it was because of Javed Miandad's allegations against them coupled with his extremely aggressive behaviour that they got upset and could not play properly and lost the match. They further stated that earlier on two different occasions, Javed had accused the team of match-fixing, once in Canada (Sahara Series) and once in Mohali (India) but on both those occasions Pakistan won the match.
Wasim Akram also appeared and explained the Sharjah match. He said he did talk to someone called Dawood Ibrahim on the phone, who told him that the match had been fixed. He asked Wasim to make the boys take oath on Holy Quran, which Wasim did not because Holy Quran was not available on the ground at that time.
Next to appear was the former Pakistani Captain and the recent Chief Executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Mr. Majid Khan. Mr. Majid Khan had been instrumental in the appointment of this Commission of Inquiry. Mr. Majid Khan deposed that after the disappointing performance of the Pakistani team in the Independence Cup Quadrangular matches, he confronted Haroon Rasheed. Mr. Haroon Rasheed maintained that if the Captain Wasim Akram was not interested in winning the matches, he, Haroon, should not be blamed. Mr. Majid Khan, produced exhibits which showed that Mr. Wasim Akram was promoting himself in the batting order, which was resulting in breaking the momentum and the slowing of the run rate. When Wasim Akram was confronted by Majid Khan, Wasim Akram replied that he was not aware of the in form batsman and the out of form batsman and that he would rectify the mistake. During the matches in Sharjah, the same mistake was repeated by Wasim Akram. He would promote himself in the batting order instead of Azhar Mahmood and Moin Khan. Mr. Majid Khan maintained that the exemplary punishment should be given to all those who were involved in match fixing so that an example could be set for others. He also suggested that investigating agencies should investigate the assets of the Players.
Next to appear was Saqlain Mushtaq, who refuted the allegations against him given by the Coach Haroon Rasheed. He maintained that he gave away 15 runs in the last over because he was asked to bowl with a new ball. This was because the white ball had to be changed because of visibility problems. Since no old ball was available, a new ball was given after rubbing off its shine which created difficulties for the spinners and for that reason, he could not contain the batsman.
Finally Aamir Sohail appeared again and produced the original affidavit sworn by Ata-ur-Rehman. Aamir Sohail maintained that during the Singer Trophy, Saleem Pervez had also come into his room and implied that he wanted to buy over Aamir Sohail. During the said match, a message was sent through Zahid Fazal, the 12th man and Saeed Anwar immediately retired hurt. At the time, there was no apparent reason for Saeed Anwar to leave the field. During the South African tour, Saeed Anwar was not in good form and was not making runs. When asked about his poor form, he replied that curse had come to him from God as he had been indulged in match-fixing. Aamir Sohail told him to pray for forgiveness and pay some "Kuffara".
According to Sohail, during the World Cup Quarter-Final, Wasim Akram went to a Night Club just before the Bangalore match against India. When Aamir Sohail asked Wasim Akram about his fitness, Wasim said he was fit to play and that he would not miss such a crucial match. Aamir Sohail maintained that there is a team meeting before all important matches, but that no such meeting took place for this all important quarter final.
Before the Australasia Cup Final in 1994, Aamir Sohail maintained that he received a call from an Indian bookie who offered him Rs. 25 Lacs for getting himself out before scoring 10 runs and also getting Saeed Anwar run out. It was during this time that it was felt necessary for all the members of the team to take oath on the Holy Quran. Aamir Sohail maintained that the only reason Ata-ur-Rehman and Rashid Latif had lost their place in the National team was because they had exposed all the match fixers. Mr. Aamir Sohail maintained that during the 1994 Christ Church match, Mr. Majid Khan was very up-set about the rumours and had banned all telephone calls going to the players directly. This is the same match in which Ata-ur-Rehman later gave an affidavit. Aamir Sohail maintained that match-fixing mainly takes place in Sharjah and that Saleem Pervez had informed him that he had paid money to Salim Malik, Mushtaq Ahmad, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis.
Mr. Qaiser Ali Shah, Director of the Ehtesaab Bureau appeared and made a statement that the Bureau at the request of the Chairman of the Adhoc Committee made an investigation into the affairs of the Pakistani Cricket Team. The Bureau was given two days to do this. There was a lot of hearsay evidence, but no direct evidence available.
The Ehtesaab Bureau Report.
The Ehtesaab Bureau then submitted a report on match-fixing, indiscipline in the team and mismanagement. It also included some investigation into the World Cup final performance. On the whole the report found all allegations to be baseless and the allegations about the World Cup possibly 'the outcome of an emotional trauma that the nation has gone through during the World Cup.' A brief summary of the report follows:
The Ehtesaab Bureau (EB) report compiled a list of bookies. It was as follows:
'Haneef Caddie Zafar alias Jo Jo.- Koki.- Saleem and Arif Pappu. Ch.Khalid-Mian Koko- Naseer-Shahzada Chotani Iqbal Club Salim Matka Jawaid Mukaish Ratta Aslam Bhatti Gulbert Riaz Wasim Anwar Mian Shaukat Elahi Rehmat Pervez Shabban Vinod Daneish Aneel Steal Bharat Club Poley Pinkey Ramesh Salim Pervez.'
The EB report notes that gambling in Cricket has its roots with 'Carry Packer of Australia [sic]' and for Pakistan in the development of cricket in Sharjah under the guidance of Mr. Abdul Rehman Bukhatir and with the assistance of Mr. Asif Iqbal. Sharjah became a gambling event for bookies. It also noted that most of the gambling is channeled through Bombay, India.
The EB Report further says that 'against all rumors it was surprising to note that a lone player cannot arrange match-fixing through the bookies network. It is practically impossible, because news will flash like a wild fire in the gambling markets. Hence it is difficult for the bookies to make wind-fall by arranging match-fixing. Thus this option was totally ruled out.' On similar reasoning the Report concluded that since the UK gambling system is computer linked, the World Cup could not have been fixed as once more the news of large bets would have flashed all over the UK.
"There are certain matches which are alleged to have been Fixed [sic], have been carefully scrutinized; but we failed to arrive at a definite conclusion that the charges are true in essence and spirit. The charges leveled were wild in nature, devoid of proper evidence to substantiate the allegations. At best it can be defined as varied viewpoint of experts on a technical issue. Discreet inquiries and a bundle of hearsay stories were sifted; but it all had driven us to an inference that even if a match is fixed, it cannot be a team act but it could be an individual act. Thus it is a difficult proposition to track down."
'The assets movement in the form of money laundering etc. (in the players finances) had not gone to an exaggerated extent where one could conclude that black money had trickled into their coffers. Thus we are constrained to conclude in its totality that without any shadow of doubt match-fixing had taken place.'
The Report also did a general review of the situation players are faced with. It notes that players can be taken off track by the various concerns and temptation such as these that litter their path:
short lived career and glamour
uncertain future
social differences among the different groups
attraction from overseas families during foreign tours
attempts to retain positions in the team
resources and benefits are poor for the Pakistan team, even vis-à-vis India
managers are not appropriately paid and have great financial differences vis-à-vis the players they have to control.
The team has failed to be the best it can be because of:
Propaganda unleashed by the losers and international media
Exploitation by the same overseas families who served abroad and defamed the players at home
Internal friction/ lobbying and the politics of the team players
Regional polarization between Lahore and Karachi
Professional jealousy against emerging junior competitors
Exploitation by the print media.
The Report thereafter goes into arguments why the present Board set-up is not the best and needs to be replaced by a modern set-up. That is not the concern of this inquiry, so that part can be ignored.
A number of reasons make this report to be of rather limited value to this Commission:
One, a lot of reasoning therein used is erroneous. The Ehtesaab Bureau Report assumes that anything setup with one bookie would immediately be revealed to other bookies and thereafter no one can make a profit. Therefore it would have us believe no bookie would ever approach a player as doing so would be unprofitable for him. That, putting it lightly, is quite faulty reasoning.
Two, as the report itself notes the time given for inquiry and reporting was only two days. Therefore the report and investigation was not thorough enough. As such it can be largely ignored. The report does though provide some useful information into the temptations that Cricket players are faced with.
The Australian Evidence.
After the Sri Lanka tour, Pakistan team played in a home series against Australia in 1994. There has been evidence mentioned earlier that indicated that for the First Test in Karachi and first one day, the Australians Shane Warne, Mark Waugh and Tim May were allegedly offered bribes by Malik to play badly so that Pakistan could win. All three players had given their affidavits now with the Pakistan Cricket Board and the courts. When the Australian team came to Pakistan again in 1998, Waugh made a personal appearance before the Commission of Inquiry with his Captain, Mark Taylor in Lahore and repeated the same allegation. Taylor and Waugh had been cross-examined.
However, when the Australian Cricket Team finished the tour of Pakistan, it was reported in the press that the two Australian cricketers Mark Waugh and Shane Warne had taken money to provide information regarding the Singer Trophy Match between Pakistan and Australia in September, 1994. The two players admitted in a press conference that they had accepted money from a person named John. The match on which the two Australians had admitted giving information for consideration from John was the same match for losing which Saleem Pervez said that he had paid Salim Malik and Mushtaq Ahmad and hence it became necessary to further examine them. Moreover, it also cast some doubt on the credibility of the Australians as they had not been above board with the commission. They had not revealed these material facts as to why they precisely were approached by Malik. In the light of John's offer and acceptance by these two it was clear why Malik had approached these two only. Malik had possibly heard these two had some connections with bookies and so were approachable.
Therefore, efforts were made to summon these players in Pakistan again at PCB's expenses. As such summons were sent to Australian Cricket Board and in response to which Australian Cricket Board requested that perhaps a video concerned via satellite could do the job. Alternatively a Commission be sent to Australia at their cost and lastly if the two offers were not acceptable the player should come to Pakistan. The video conferencing option could not materialize. So on the offer of the Australian Cricket Board a one member Commission of Inquiry comprising of Mr. Abdus Salam Khawar, Judge, who is also Registrar of this Commission, along with Mr. Ali Sibtain Fazli and his associate, Mr. Ali Sajjad, flew to Australia to cross-examine the said players in the light of this new evidence at the cost of Australian Cricket Board. The Commission comprised of Mr. Abdul Salam Khawar, Judge, Mr. Ali Sibtain Fazli, Mr. Ali Sajjad, counsels assisting the Inquiry Commission, Mr. Azmat Saeed, the counsel for Salim Malik, also went to Australia. Mr. Brian Ward, the Australian Cricket Board's legal advisor became amicus curae for the inquiry. Mr. Michael Shatin, QC represented Mark Waugh and Mr. Lassen alongwith Mr. Andrew Hudson represented Shane Warne. Mr. Allan Crompton, former Chairman Australian Cricket Board appeared. Mr. Tim May, Test Cricketer, was present but not called.
Mark Waugh in Australia made a statement. According to him, he met a person John in Sri Lanka during the Singer Trophy in September, 1994. John offered him US$ 4,000 which he accepted for providing information regarding pitch and weather condition. Waugh firmly stated that he did not agree to give any kind of information regarding individuals, team tactics or team selection. After that meeting, he talked to John approximately 10 times and gave no more information other than to what he had agreed upon. He was the one who introduced John to Shane Warne in a Casino and was told by Warne the next day that John had given Warne US$ 5000 to place on bets.
Mark Waugh was thereafter cross-examined by Mr. Fazli. The following salient points came out:
During the cross examination, Mark Waugh stated that Salim Malik's offer came as a shock to him although he had already taken bribe from John before that.
When asked as to why he was given money for information which a groundsman would well have been in a better position to give, Mark Waugh replied that he had been playing cricket since the age of 10 and had practical knowledge of the pitches.
During the cross examination it was also revealed that before going for the West Indies tour, Mr. Alan Crompton and Mr. Graham Halbish, the Chief Executive and the Chairman, ACB, had fined him without giving any show cause notice as such.
Mark Waugh when confronted with questions from Mr. Fazli, accepted that he was a frequent bettor. He placed bets on golf, rugby and horse races but never on cricket.
His affidavit, according to him, was written by the ACB Solicitor and he only signed it.
Mr. Azmat Saeed, learned counsel for Salim Malik thereafter cross-examined Waugh. He confronted Mark Waugh with questions regarding the meeting between Salim Malik and Mark Waugh himself. According to Mark Waugh, the information regarding the meeting between Malik and him was not disclosed the same day he was offered the money by Malik. Although he was clear in his mind as to what his response would be, Mr. Saeed said, it was curious still that he asked for some time from Malik and never disclosed to anyone that day. While Shane Warne did not take part in the conversation when the money was offered, to throw away a one day game at Rawalpindi, he was within an earshot to Mark Waugh. Mark Waugh also stated that he never talked to Malik after that incident.
Shane Warne thereafter made a statement. (He had not made one before the Commission in Lahore). According to him, John gave him the money the next day and not same night they met for the first time.. The money, according to Warne, was given as a token of appreciation. John had said he was a fan of Warne's and had won money on him. So the money was a gift. The amount he received was US$ 5000. He talked to John only three times after that incident:-
Prior to the One Day game in Sydney in early December, 1994.
In Melbourne, just before the Boxing Day test later that year
In Perth in February, 1995.
All the three times, John only inquired about pitch and weather conditions.
After the tour of New Zealand had finished and whilst on the way to West Indies, he was asked by Alan Crompton, the Chairman, Graham Halbish, the Chief Executive and Ian McDonald to talk about the bookmaker in Sri Lanka and was subsequently fined $ 8,000.
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 Karachi Test by getting another bowler Tim May to bowl badly with him. He told Malik to get lost and the same was the answer by Tim May when told about the offer by Warne. Warne, according to him, thereafter went back to his room and told May.
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.
In February, 1995, he was asked to make a short summary of the incident and was asked to sign a declaration in April, 1995.
Shane Warne was thereafter cross-examined by Mr. Fazli. The following points came out of the cross-examination:
Warne denied knowing any one by the name of Saleem Pervez.
He was fined by the ACB without any show cause notice being given. Warne did not know as to how the information was disclosed to the ACB.
The declaration was made in the hotel room in Antigua. He was asked certain questions and then they were written down and Warne signed them.
Warne revealed that he was a frequent gambler.
When asked as to why he did not tell Waugh, at the Presidential function, that he had also been offered money by Salim Malik, Warne replied that he was not directly involved in the conversation and thought that Mark Waugh must be knowing it already because majority of the players had information about the incident. This was so even though he had earlier said he had only disclosed the meeting to Mark Taylor and Bob Simpson.
When asked as to why he did not tell Mark Taylor the whole incident the same night he was offered money by Malik, he responded that it was already quite late at night when Malik called him and by the time this whole episode was over, it was already midnight. Therefore, he thought that it would be more appropriate to talk the next day.
He denied having any information regarding the match in Sri Lanka between Australia and Pakistan in which he was declared Man of the Match.
Learned Counsel for Salim Malik thereafter cross-examined Shane Warne. The following points came out of that cross-examination.
Warne disclosed that he gave the statement when inquiry in Pakistan had been initiated and he was asked for a statutory declaration.
He explained the whole incident in a few words through the ACB lawyer Graham Johnson and then he answered certain questions and every thing was written down.
In New Zealand, Ian McDonald asked him if he was ever involved with a Bookmaker and subsequently was fined before leaving for the Windies tour.
Warne claimed that he was never accused of being a liar, on his face by Malik, after the allegation.
Mr. Michael Shatin QC stated in court that Mr. Salim Malik had never approached Mark Waugh or Shane Warne regarding these allegations, although they had met several times after the incident. Why not if Malik was not guilty. This assertion carries weight.
The Rashid Latif Tapes.
Thereafter some tapes that had been produced by Rashid Latif were examined as were others that he submitted at later dates. These tapes contained the following conversations:
Conversation between Rashid Latif and 'Basit Ali' and 'Saeed Anwar',
Conversation between Rashid Latif and 'Basit Ali' and Salim Malik,
Conversation between Rashid Latif and 'Zia-ur-Rehman', brother of Ata-ur-Rehman,
Conversation between Rashid Latif and 'Ata-ur-Rehman' (and Ata's friend Makha),
Conversation between Rashid Latif and 'Saeed Anwar' (Poor Quality)
Another conversation between Rashid Latif and 'Saeed Anwar' (Poor Quality)
Conversation between Rashid Latif and 'Javed Burki'
Conversation between Rashid Latif and 'Arif Abbassi'
Conversation between Rashid Latif and Khalid Mehmood
Conversation between Rashid Latif and 'Dan Keisel' (very poor quality)
Efforts were made to authenticate these tapes, but such technology does not seem available in Pakistan.
However, these tapes do appear authentic. They contained conversations of various lengths (possibly too long to be manufactured) and the voices, nicknames, languages employed in them, and the matters talked about all seem to indicate that these were authentic. Rashid Latif has further under oath vouched for their authenticity. However, in light of the fact that these cannot be authenticated this Commission will give them only reduced weight.
Furthermore, a reason that makes this commission not be completely taken by these tapes is that some of the conversations of the tapes, when they were initially submitted, had been edited. Initially when Rashid Latif was asked as to why he had edited the tapes, he said because they contained insults, etc. He was asked to produce the original tapes nonetheless. The tapes that he submitted showed that this was not the only reason why the tapes had been edited. Crucially, mention of Basit Ali's involvement in match-fixing had been totally taken out of the tape containing conversation two (between Rashid Latif, Basit Ali and Salim Malik) when Rashid Latif submitted it to this Commission. Furthermore, some of Saeed Anwar's involvement in conversation one, in getting Salim Malik to call Rashid Latif and Basit had been cut out too. Subsequently, when Rashid Latif was asked to name who was the 'friend' mentioned in conversation 6, Rashid unconvincingly said it was Aamir Sohail. It appeared clear to this commission that the 'friend' was Saeed Anwar and the tape incriminated him to some extent. In light of these lingering doubts, it appeared to this commission that Rashid Latif may well have wanted to protect his friends, Saeed Anwar and Basit Ali. Rashid Latif may well have thought that these two can or should be protected as they by most accounts are allegedly one-time offenders. But that if indeed that is what happened, was not for him to decide.
When asked as to why the tapes had been initially edited, Latif stated that the tapes had been in the safekeeping of a relative of Basit Ali's and they had been edited by this relative or someone for the sake of this relative of Basit's, as the relative was a heart patient. Perhaps this was the truth but these actions made the tapes tainted and the Commission is also aware of the chance, albeit not a great one, that some or all the tapes may well have been doctored or manufactured.
Moreover, when Rashid Latif was thereafter asked to produce the original copies, he produced some somewhat unedited copies. There were some discrepancies in one of the tapes that made us believe that the Commission was not given the originals.
Further, Rashid Latif has stated that he has not submitted all the tapes he made as the others contained meaningless conversation. This also presents the commission with the possibility that the picture presented to it may well be skewed as only certain conversations may have been submitted to it.
In light of all of this, the Commission chose to give the tapes limited weight: to use them as weak corroboration, especially if denied, and primarily as a source of leads to be followed.
Summaries of these conversations are found in the Appendix II.
Lines of investigation arising out the tapes pursued
In response to the Rashid Latif tapes, the inquiry was reopened and more people were called by the Commission.
First to be called was Rashid Latif. He vouched for the authenticity of the tapes under oath. Further, he explained the various nicknames (referred to above) used in the tapes. He swore that the tapes were authentic and unedited [after the 'edited out names' incident reported above.]
Further, when the commission pressed Rashid Latif to name the four players who were present when Salim Malik made him an offer before the Christchurch match, he did name them. They were according to him:
Waqar Younis,
Akram Raza,
Inzamam-ul-Haq.
Basit Ali.
Then Ata-ur-Rehman was confronted with his cassette. He denied that the voice he heard was his voice. He further added that the first affidavit he had submitted had been at the insistence of Aamir Sohail. Aamir Sohail had wanted to become the captain of the team and so wanted to have Wasim Akram displaced.
Thereafter Salim Malik was confronted by his tape. He accepted that the voice was his. He offered explanations for his comments. He stated that all he had been saying in the tape was that rather than the players falsely accusing each other in the press, they should all get together and work their differences out.
Rashid Latif was then cross-examined by the counsels for Wasim Akram and Salim Malik. He stated that the issue of match-fixing first came to light when he raised it. The first article was written by Usman Shirazi on the basis of information supplied to him by Rashid. Salim Malik and he, Rashid said, have different world-views but there was never any enmity between them. Rashid noted that even when a Board enquiry was held against Salim Malik, it was only done in the context of the Australian allegations and Rashid was not called. He had in fact applied to the Board in 1995, but that is not on the record of the Board now. Then in 1997, he made an application to the board which was received by Mr. Majid Khan. On none of his applications an enquiry was held. He was not even called before the probe committee. Arif Abassi and tour mangers had been told of match-fixing by Rashid. Saleem Altaf held an enquiry in Zimbabwe in which Rashid was told to forget everything. Rashid asserted that he had told Arif Abbassi everything and this can be confirmed by the taped conversation he has submitted between Rashid and Arif Abassi. The toss and inclusion of Akram Raza instead of Kabir Khan was crucial. Half of the team wanted to bat first.
Basit then stated that he did not know if Basit Ali was involved in match-fixing. Basit stated that he was friends with all his team-mates and that it was incorrect to suggest that he and Basit had a special relationship. Rashid accepted that he knew tapping phones was an offence, but he said, he did it all to reveal the truth to the public. It was suggested to him that he was doing this because of the Karachi-Lahore rivalry against Punjabi players. Rashid Latif denied this. Moreover, he stated that all he was doing was telling the truth and the Salim Malik counsel's statement that he was harming the Pakistani name abroad was only an unfortunate consequence. Lastly he denied any malice or lies in his statement.
The four players named by Rashid Latif were called. Three appeared. Basit Ali seemed to have been struck down with Jaundice. Arrangements were tried to be made for his statement to be recorded over the phone. However, those arrangements fell through.
Waqar Younus re-appeared before the Commission and stated that he did not recall a time when he was called to Salim Malik's room for a particular purpose on the New Zealand tour. It is incorrect to suggest that in his presence, with Basit Ali, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Akram Raza there, Malik offered Rashid Latif money to throw a match. He did not recall how many wickets he took in the match as he had played to many matched to remember. Similarly he could not remember whether Wasim Akram bowled in that match and also could not recall if Wasim bowled badly deliberately. It is true that the sky was overcast. But he could not recall if he was told to bowl quickly so that the match would finish before the rain. However, as they are required to bowl a certain number of overs in an hour, the team always tries to bowl quickly.
Inzamam-ul-Haq appeared and stated that he did play in the Christchurch match. He denied there was an instance when he was in room with Basit Ali, Akram Raza and Waqar Younis when Malik may have offered Rashid Latif money to throw the match. He recalled that Pakistan did lose the match, making 145 runs batting first and New Zealand reaching the target for the loss of three wickets in 35 overs. In his view no one bowled badly deliberately. He did not remember Wasim Akram's performance in the match. He did recall though that the pitch was difficult for batsmen early on. He did not recall about the bad weather, threat of imminent rain, bowling fast or excessive wides and no-balls. He did not think the match was fixed as he gave 100% from his side.
Akram Raza was called for the first time. He under oath stated that while he and Malik remained together most of the time on the New Zealand tour, it is incorrect to state that they, Waqar, Inzamam, Basit Ali and Rashid Latif were together (in Malik's room) at any time. Moreover, it incorrect that Rashid Latif was offered any money by Malik in his presence. Raza accepted that he did play in the fifth one-day and he did recall that all the one-days were low scoring, but he does not recall who batted first. Pakistan must have made 200 in that match. He does not recall the weather, overcast conditions or threat of imminent rain.
Under cross-examination by Mr. Fazli, Akram Raza reiterated that it is incorrect to say Malik offered Latif money in front of him. He and Malik were team-mates in domestic Cricket since 1986. After he left the team, Raza accepted, he did hear of instances of incidents of match-fixing which appeared in the press. He remembered players talking among themselves about the allegations. He did not however recall who were the players who were talking. He did volunteer that there was a time when Intikhab Alam in Sri Lanka had asked all the players not to use their mobile phones. Four or five players had these phones. They were Salim Malik, Wasim Akram, Basit Ali, and maybe Waqar Younis. He himself was there in Sri Lanka too.
Saeed Anwar who was also called by the commission in light of the tapes made a supplementary statement: He stated that he remembered going to Rashid Latif once in Sri Lanka with the apprehension that a match had been fixed. Some people had come to Sri Lanka and there were rumors that they were there to fix matches. Rashid told everyone in the morning that he has heard of match-fixing and that he will not spare anybody. Since, 1994/95, he, Saeed, has kept himself aloof from the team in view of persistent rumors of match-fixing. For two years he and Rashid Latif made noises about match-fixing. In Sri Lanka Saeed told the manager Intikhab Alam of his suspicions and Intikhab told him to keep quiet. However, Saeed said he has no direct evidence against anyone.
At Christchurch, he had just come back into the team after a year and a half. He could not say whether the match was fixed. However, he did confront Wasim Akram with the allegation and Wasim has always denied it.
While he was batting in Sri Lanka, Saeed says he received repeated messages which surprised him as he was playing at his best. He had made 47 when the messages came. Further Salim Pervez and his group had been present when the one-day was played at Kaitarama. Rashid Latif had told me that he was offered money by Malik but that was during the South Africa tour. It is however correct that some person called him Saeed up in Sri Lanka and offered him money. He informed Rashid Latif of it.
Thereafter, Mr. Khalid Mahmood was called in the matter of his conversation with Mr. Rashid Latif. After hearing the tape, Mr. Mehmood was quite pleased to accept that it was his voice on the tape.
Imran Khan (for corroboration of Ata telling him of accusation against Wasim Akram), Javed Burki (to let him hear his tape), Arif Abbassi (to confront him with his tape and get information from him about what Saeed Anwar told him) were summoned. However, for various reasons they were unable to appear before the commission before the closing date.
Ata-ur-Rehman appeared again in response to his show-cause notice. He was further asked about Imran Khan's statement that Ata had told him about an offer having been made to him by Wasim Akram. Ata stated that he had done so and that he had told Imran of the offer after the news had broken in the newspapers.
Imran Khan in the meanwhile did through his attorney confirm that Ata had indeed told him about the Wasim accusation after the news had broken in the newspapers.
PART IV
LEARNED COUNSELS' ARGUMENTS
The Counsels' closing submissions
On the request of the learned counsels for the accused, the commission allowed counsels an opportunity to give closing submissions, so as to sum up the case of each side. The amicus was also asked to and did make a submission.
They were asked to inter alia address the following questions:
What is the standard of proof to be applied in this case?
Why have people blamed their respective clients?
Why individuals have said what they have said against them?
What is the evidence for and against?
Why is it that a majority of managers of the team say there has been match-fixing?
What recommendations can they make for stopping match-fixing in the future?
For Salim Malik:
Mr. Azmat Saeed for the accused Salim Malik made his submissions. He submitted that a match can only be fixed by 5 or 6 players working together. It cannot be fixed by an individual working alone. One player can win a match, but it takes a conspiracy for a team to loose.
Salim Pervez' statement is like a 'multiple choice test.' Between his statement and cross-examination there are a number of material contradictions. He is confused about who carried the money. He says that he went to Sri Lanka to fix a match, whereas at another time he said it had already been fixed. He says that he did not place a bet on the match. Then why fix it ?
The only reason so many people have given evidence against Salim Malik is that he has an abrasive personality.
Similarly Rashid Latif should not be believed because all the players he has named as co-accused in Christchurch have denied the matter.
Moreover, the Australians are not to be believed because they waited four months to make their statement. While they were in Pakistan they did not make a hint of such a thing to the PCB or anyone for that matter.
Therefore, he submitted, it cannot be said to the requisite standard of proof that his client is guilty.
For Wasim Akram:
Mr. Khawaja Tariq Raheem made his submissions for his client, Wasim Akram. He stated that most of his arguments have already been submitted in written form. They were as follows:
'The allegations are based on hearsay evidence, tainted with ulterior motives and malafide intentions, beset with contradictions and are indicative of the sheer lack of credibility of the persons making the depositions.'
Ata-ur-Rehman in view of his retraction cannot be believed. Inter alia, he said that Ijaz Ahmad was instrumental in fixing the Christchurch match. Ijaz was not even in New Zealand in any capacity much less as part of the team.
In the Akhbar-e-Watan article and the Nawa-e-Waqt statement dated 10.1.97, Ata has in fact praised Wasim Akram and stated that he did not offer Ata money.
Ata-ur-Rehman has stated that his original affidavit is with Mr. Khalid Mehmood, whereas Aamir Sohail has produced the same before the commission on 19.12.98. This indicates that both have colluded to implicate and malign Wasim Akram.
There are contradictions between Aamir Sohail's first statement against Wasim Akram and his supplementary statement. In the first statement on 8.10.98 Sohail categorically denied any knowledge of match-fixing yet he changed his stance two months later. This, he did in order to find a place in the team.
The contents of the supplementary statement have no probative value as the allegations are conjectural and full of contradictions. Further, Sohail did not report the matters he highlighted to the BCCP or the manager at the relevant times.
The statement of Rashid Latif does not contain an iota of evidence and contains baseless allegations. The fact that players used mobile phone cannot be used to draw inferences of match-fixing against him. The allegations arise out of bitterness for having been replaced in the team by a competent all-rounder in Moin Khan. He has failed to report the matters complained of to any BCCP or the team manager at any relevant time.
Javed Miandad's statement that he was told by Haneef Cadbury that Wasim was a bought player is hearsay and no plausible evidence has been provided in support. It is interesting to recall that Miandad cannot even recall the name of the third player who had been bought according to Cadbury.
Majid Khan has alleged match-fixing in that the batting order was changed by Wasim Akram to the detriment of the team. In Wasim's defence it can be said that he is a quick scorer and often such a scorer is brought up the order to make a few quick runs.
In addition to the written submissions he orally submitted that the standard of proof required under the 1956 Act was that of beyond reasonable doubt as the commission may recommend criminal sanctions. He sought support from the case of the Lone Commission in the matter of the co-operatives.
He stated that there are in fact three matches about which there is some doubt that they might have been fixed: the Christchurch match, the Singer Cup and the match against England in Sharjah where there was controversy over the batting order. In the first two, Wasim's performance with the ball was outstanding. At Christchurch, his figures were 6.3 over for 18 runs, less runs per over given than anyone else in the team. That Wasim did not complete his overs was up to the Captain. In the Singer Cup he bowled ten overs for 28 runs and bagged three wickets. Finally, as regards the Sharjah match, the allegation is that Wasim did not send Moin Khan or Azhar Mehmood ahead of him. Azhar Mehmood was not well-established in those days and his one-day record was bad. Moin Khan when sent in did not score many himself.
Ata-ur-Rehman's statements are loaded with inconsistencies. He cannot be believed.
Counsel to Wasim Akram indicated that it was suspicious that all the players accusing the Pakistani players come from the same team, Allied Bank of Pakistan. Rashid Latif, Ata-ur-Rehman, Aaqib Javed, Aamir Sohail and as their captain Rameez Raja.
As regards recommendations to stop match-fixing, he recommended that win bonuses be introduced. Moreover, the players should be remunerated on par with other cricketers around the world.
If the Commission did find anyone guilty, the appropriate punishment would be a censure, perhaps a ban for some time, or more appropriately a fine.
The submissions of the amicus curiea:
Mr. Ali Sibtain Fazli, who is the Legal Advisor of Pakistan Cricket Board and has been the Counsel assisting this Commission, was asked to appear as an amicus-curiea in the case. He first addressed the Court with regard to the yard sticks of proof that would be required for the purposes of arriving at any conclusion by this Commission regarding the involvement of any player or other official or person in match fixing. He contended that the rules of evidence for civil and criminal cases are, in general, the same. But some provisions in the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984, are peculiar to criminal cases and others peculiar to civil cases. There is, however, a marked difference as to the effect of evidence in civil and criminal cases. In civil cases, a mere pre-ponderance of evidence and probability are sufficient to serve as the basis of decision while in criminal cases proof of guilt beyond all reasonable doubt is required. He cited references from the Evidence Act, 1872 by M. Monir. He further stated that the case of the cricketers and the present inquiry can, at best, be equated with that of service servants or other service matters, and a domestic inquiry that is held on the basis of which they may be dismissed from service. The yardstick for arriving at such a decision would not be of proving guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt but would be based on pre-ponderance of evidence.
The Counsel was asked by the Commission as to against which of the players was there any direct evidence of match fixing. The Counsel named Saleem Malik, Wasim Akram and Mushtaq Ahmad. He also stated that in the case of Basit Ali and Waqar Younis, there is some evidence against them, but it is not sufficient to arrive at any final conclusion. He also named Ijaz Ahmad and stated that although his name has been mentioned by quite a few persons, but there is no direct evidence against him to prove that he has been involved in match fixing.
Against Salim Malik he indicated there were statements of the Australians, Rashid Latif and Saleem Pervez. General allegation were leveled by a number of others. Primarily, most people name Malik as a king-pin.
According to Rashid Latif, Malik probably fixed the Christchurch match with Ijaz Ahmed and Zafar Ali Jojo. He went to Sri Lanka and fixed the Singer Trophy match with Salim Pervez. There, John had approached the Australians. Malik was probably told of this. He therefore tried to bribe the Australians when he saw them. Then when the team went to South Africa, the matter came to a head when Rashid Latif finally cried foul in public. The Australians thereafter came forward with their allegations. The pattern is there.
As against Wasim Akram there was the evidence of Ata-ur-Rehman primarily and to certain extent Rashid Latif. Plus there were statements of various office holders and the issue of changing the batting order in Sharjah and the withdrawal from the Quarterfinal in Bangalore. In light of Ata's U-turn, Ata's story cannot be believed. However, it should be recommended that Wasim Akram be warned and kept under observation.
As against Mushtaq there is the statement of Salim Pervez that he did give Mushtaq and Malik the money to fix a match in Sri Lanka.
With this the inquiry was closed on the 30th of September, 1999.
PART V
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
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.)
New Zealand v Pakistan, 1993/94, 3rd Test
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
24,25,26,27,28 February 1994 (5-day match)
Result: New Zealand won by 5 wickets
Pakistan wins the 3-Test series 2-1
Toss: New Zealand
Umpires: RS Dunne and KT Francis (SL)
Match Referee: R Subba Row (Eng)
Test Debuts: Atif Rauf (Pak).
Men of the Match: SA Thomson and BA Young
Man of the Series: Wasim Akram
Close of Play:
Day 1: Pakistan 334/7 (Basit Ali 98*, Akram Raza 27*)
Day 2: Pakistan 344, New Zealand 200, Pakistan 8/2 (Atif Rauf 3*, Akram Raza 2*)
Day 3: Pakistan 179, New Zealand 9/0 (Young 3*, Hartland 3*)
Day 4: New Zealand 277/4 (Young 115*, Thomson 93*)
