Saleem Malik, Danish Kaneria assail Cricket Board

Former Pakistan cricket captain Saleem Malik has termed ridiculous PCB’s claim that the Board has a “confession letter” from him, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.

Saleem Malik said that the PCB has sought clarification on some issues through e-mail and sent a transcript of 2,000 words and he forwarded a reply but now a new story has been told.

“It is ridiculous to release a ‘confession letter’,” he said and added “The cricket board emailed me a transcript saying the answer was not correct.”

“I was preparing the second response of the transcript to bring up the issue of 2014. I went to the cricket board at the end of 2013, not 2014. I raised this issue in a meeting with Najam Sethi, Subhan Ahmed and Tafazzal Rizvi,” he further said.

He demanded Chairman PCB should probe who is calling the shots in his case.

Earlier, the PCB has formally addressed former cricketers Danish Kaneria and Saleem Malik and explained to each why it does not have a solution to their longstanding grievances.

Saleem Malik told to respond to ICC transcripts, politely reminding of his admission of guilt.

The PCB said it would unable to do anything until Saleem Malik explains to the ICC why he had held a meeting with corrupt elements in England in April 2000. He has been urged to respond to the transcripts provided by the ICC.

Malik was banned by the PCB on the recommendation of the Justice Qayyum report but he had managed to get the ban overturned by a local court.

According to PCB press release, PCB stated in 5 May 2014 letter written by Saleem Malik, “Sir, after consultations and on my free will, I have reached a decision that I am ready to accept my wrongdoing, apologise to the fans and want to start by rehabilitation process. I fully understand the consequence of my decision and am ready to cooperate to every extent with ICC and PCB for my rehabilitation programme. I would request PCB to talk to ICC if required and start my rehabilitation programme at the earliest.”

PCB, in a written reply, to Danish Kaneria reminded: “You were banned for life by the ECB’s Cricket Discipline Commission after it was established that you had ‘knowingly induced or encouraged Mervyn Westfield not to perform on his merits in the Durham match’,” the PCB said.

“You subsequently challenged the decision before the Appeal Panel of the Cricket Disciplinary Commission, which was upheld. Then, you appealed before a commercial bench of the High Court in London, which was dismissed. Then, you appealed before the Court of Appeal (Civil Division), which was rejected.”

“The PCB’s rehabilitation programme is offered to players upon conclusion of the respective periods of ineligibility and not for players who are serving life bans.”

The board further told Kaneria that he had been barking up the wrong tree all these years.

“The life ban was imposed by the ECB and upheld by all ICC Members as per Article 9 of the ICC/PCB Anti-Corruption Code, and the only way it could have been overturned was by way of appeal, an avenue which have already been explored,” it stated.

“As such, you are advised to approach the ECB as per Article 6.8 of the ECB Anti-Corruption Code.”

However Danish Kaneria in a tweet said, “My case is totally different. It has nothing to do with match fixing or spot fixing. Please do not mix it with Salim Malik case.’

My case is tottaly different. It has nothing to do with match fixing or spot fixing. Please do not mix it with Salim Khan’s case. pic.twitter.com/aCJ7hrr8gC

— Danish Kaneria (@DanishKaneria61) July 10, 2020