ICC gives clean chit to Saleem Malik for Veterans World Cup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has given a clean chit to Saleem Malik, allowing him to participate in the Veterans Cricket World Cup in 2024. This decision marks a significant turn in Malik’s cricketing career.

Saleem Malik, the former Pakistan captain, had been banned for life for his involvement in match-fixing back in 2000. This ban had cast a long shadow over his career, making this recent development all the more noteworthy.

The Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) had written to the ICC, seeking clarification on whether Malik could be included in the Pakistan squad for the tournament, which will be held in Cape Town, South Africa.

The ICC responded to the PVCA through an email, stating that they had no objection to Malik playing in the Veterans World Cup. The email was sent by ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice and also copied to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer.

Malik, who played 103 Tests and 283 ODIs for Pakistan, was found guilty of offering bribes to Australian cricketers Shane Warne, Mark Waugh and Tim May to underperform during their tour of Pakistan in 1995. He was banned for life by a judicial commission headed by late Justice (retd) Malik Mohammad Qayyum.

Malik challenged his ban in court and got it lifted by a sessions court in Lahore in 2008. However, he remained sidelined by the PCB, which claimed that he had not fulfilled the requirements of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.

Malik has been trying to clear his name and get involved in cricket activities for several years. He has applied for various coaching and mentoring roles with the PCB, but has been rejected every time. He has also apologised to the nation and sought forgiveness from the PCB.