Malik, Ijaz likely to be indicted

Dhaka, October 28: Pakistan batsmen Salim Malik and Ijaz Ahmed are likely to be indicted by the one-man probe panel of Justice Mohammad M...

Dhaka, October 28: Pakistan batsmen Salim Malik and Ijaz Ahmed are likely to be indicted by the one-man probe panel of Justice Mohammad Malik Qayoom appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board to investigate betting and match-fixing allegations, according to a PCB source.

The report is expected by mid-November but indications are that enough evidence against the two has been collected by Justice Qayoom. The source also informed that the third cricketer facing the allegations, Wasim Akram, may be set free as the PCB may not be in a position to directly confront him. This, he feels, may further complicate the issue as the other two, if charged, may bring in evidence against the star all-rounder, if any.

8220;Salim and Ijaz will go as the PCB cannot retract. This is a very sensitive issue and has earned Pakistan a very bad name. As for Akram, he might escape because of fear of public protest if he is indicted,8221; he said.

The three are facing allegations after Australian cricketers, Shane Warne, Mark Waugh and TimMay, said in their sworn statements that Malik, the then Pakistan skipper, had offered them a hefty sum to play below their potential in the 8217;94 Karachi Test.

There were a host of other allegations as well with some Pakistan players, like the current skipper Aamir Sohail, former skipper Rashid Latif, Basit Ali and Ata-ur-Rehman, coming up with startling revelations regarding betting and match-fixing.

Justice Malik also questioned former skipper Rameez Raja, PCB chief executive Majid Khan and the Australians, Mark Taylor and Mark Waugh, among others. 8220;It is after collecting all the evidence that the report will be announced,8221; the source said.

He also informed that this will only be half the job done as the Pakistan team is yet to get over the captaincy muddle. Sohail was apparently made captain before the Sahara Cup against India in Toronto in September, amid apprehensions of a revolt by the team.

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But, according to the source, the fact that Sohail plays for Pamp;T Gymkhana, Lahore, a club patronised byPCB chairman Khalid Mahmood, tilted the balance in his favour.

8220;Sohail is not liked by many in the Pakistan team,8221; he said and it was apparent here as the skipper was spotted practising alone with some local boys while the others worked out together.

8220;If Akram is freed of the charges, he might be reappointed the captain,8221; the source said.