Bhandari absolves Pakistan cricketers

Pakistan cricketers were absolved of charges of match-fixing and betting in 1999 World Cup by Justice Karamat Nazir Bhandari whose 21-page report was released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Saturday.

The honourable Lahore High Court Judge also cleared retired Test umpire Javed Akhtar who was accused by former chief of United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) Dr Ali Bacher of favouring England while giving eight leg before decision in favour of the home team during a Test in 1998. Instead, Justice Bhandari took a swipe at the UCBSA for its non-cooperation.

"The South African Cricket Board had also complained against umpire Javed Akhtar. The Commission has to record with regret that no assistance whatsoever was rendered by South African Cricket Board. Equally, Dr Bacher did not respond until the closure of inquiry."

"As the findings of the Commission are in the negative, the Commission is not required to recommend appropriate punishment and measures," Justice Bhandari concludes in his detailed report.

The Commission of Inquiry submitted its report on Jan 31 this year that will be submitted to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in next week's meeting at Lord's. It says International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) was approached to assist the Commission and send any relevant material. But the Commission notes that except for sending an extract from Wisden, which contained an article on Bangladesh cricket, which made a reference to this (World Cup) match against Pakistan, the ACU failed to contribute much.

"Even the anti-corruption unit had no material in support of the theory that the match was fixed. "...apart from the photocopy of article from Wisden, the Unit did not send any other material. The Commission, therefore, holds that it cannot be said with any amount of certitude that the match was fixed.

As regards the Wisden article that highlighted Inzamam-ul-Haq being involved in the run-out of Saeed Anwar, then throwing away his wicket and Wasim Akram running out Azhar Mahmood, the Commission observed that the author made suggestions based on inferences.

"The Wisden ought to have known that Inzamam-ul-Haq is notorious for run-outs," the report notes.

Justice Bhandari admits meeting ACU officials, minus Sir Paul Condon, in Sharjah on Nov 3, 2001. "The Commission attended the briefing, which more or less consisted of general patterns of betting and match-fixing in cricket."

On the allegations of Majid Khan and Sarfraz Nawaz, who based their claims on team's poor fielding, Wasim Akram's decision of batting first, resting Yousuf Youhana and instead fielding Ijaz Ahmad and Salim Malik on whom there were already suspicion and then Wasim bowling four no-balls and firing eight wides, the Commission notes:

After intensive review of evidence and other material and keeping in view the yardstick as laid down for determining the question, the Commission is of the view that it is difficult to hold that this match was fixed.

The testimony of Sarfaraz Nawaz and Majid Khan is, in fact, an opinion. They did not profess any direct knowledge about match-fixing.

"Although they are former cricketers of repute and their analysis is entitled to respect, but in order to hold that the match was fixed and, therefore, to condemn the players, the Commission required incriminatory evidence, which is completing lacking. A finding of condemnation cannot justifiably be based on opinions."

The Commission observes that the evidence as well as the material was either lacking or was of much less credibility for Pakistan's match against India in the Super Six stage that India won by 47 runs.

The reports says players examined by the Commission denied match-fixing. "In fact some of them (players) went on to extent of saying that the match against India was like going to war and no Pakistani can think of subverting his country in war against India."

The Commission believes unlike Bangladesh, India was a stronger side that has produced some outstanding cricketers over the years.

"Both the teams have been winning and losing matches against each other. Apart from opinion, there is no credible material on the file whereby this Commission can give a finding that this match was fixed in favour of India."

As regards the conduct of umpire Javed Akhtar, the report continues, there was hardly any material or even a suggestion or inference that he by design gave large number of lbs against South African batsmen.

In all fairness, it continues, as South African board initiated and inspired allegations against Javed Akhtar, "it ought to have come forward to assist this Commission in resolving this matter.

"In spite of number of letters, the South African board did not respond or send any material for consideration by this Commission."

With the exoneration of the players, the ugly and continued saga of suspecting the credentials of the Pakistan players has come to an end. Nevertheless, with the inconsistencies in the PCB and inability of the die-hard followers of the game to digest defeats, it is to be seen when the new Commission of Inquiry is going to be setup. Needless to say that the World Cup in South Africa is just eight months away and Pakistan start as firm favorites to regain the title.