KARACHI, Oct 17: Disgraced former captain Salim Malik Wednesday said he would file a writ petition in Lahore High Court against his life ban imposed last year on charges of match-fixing.

“The lower courts do not hear the petition against an order of a higher court. So I will file a case in Lahore High Court Saturday,” Malik told SADA.

Pakistan Cricket Board banned Malik for life in May last year after recommendations from a match-fixing inquiry conducted by Lahore High Court judge Malik Mohammad Qayyum.

Interestingly, six of Malik’s former colleagues will also appear before a one-man commission of Justice Karamat Bhandari Saturday for testimony regarding alleged match-fixing during World Cup 1999.

Pakistan captain Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Saeed Anwar, Moin Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Saqlain Mushtaq have been summoned by the Bhandari Commission.

“I don’t have details about the Bhandari Commission probe and hope that I will not be summoned by this inquiry,” Malik said.

Malik featured in both the World Cup games - against Bangladesh and India - which are widely alleged to be fixed. Malik played four games in the ‘99 Cup after an injury to middle order batsman Yousuf Youhana.

Malik was granted a stay against the life ban but proceedings have not been held since June 2001.

“I am mentally disturbed and hope that my appeal would be heard,” Malik, one of Pakistan’s most successful batsmen, said.

When asked about a decision on former South African captain Hansie Cronje’s appeal against his life ban, Malik said it would be beneficial for him as well.

“I think it’s a good news for me that Cronje is allowed to coach and write in media. This could help my case as well,” he added.

A court in Pretoria rejected Cronje’s appeal against a life ban but said he is free to coach and write in media.

“I appeal to Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf and Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Lieutenant General Tauqir Zia to consider the unjust ban.”

Match-fixing allegations were first leveled against Malik by Australian players Shane Warne, Mark Waugh and Tim May who accused the former Pakistan captain of offering them bribe to perform poorly in a Test in Karachi in 1994. Malik’s name was also mentioned by Cronje in his testimony before Judge Edwin King last year.

Indian sleuths also identified Malik in their November 2000 report on match-fixing. —SADA