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| November 11, 2001 | Sunday | Shaba’an 24, 1422 |
Ex-umpire appears before commission
KARACHI, Nov 10: Former Pakistan umpire Javed Akhtar Saturday appeared before an inquiry commission in the Lahore High Court that is probing match-fixing allegations against the Pakistan national team and Akhtar’s credibility as umpire.
“Akhtar appeared before the court but his statement was not recorded as the judge told Akhtar that he had not been summoned as a witness,” Pakistan Cricket Board legal advisor Asgher Haider told SADA.
Six Pakistani journalists who covered the World Cup 1999 matches were also summoned for the hearing but no one turned up.
The one-man commission of Justice Karamat Nazir Bhandari, formed by the Pakistan government in May this year, is investigating whether Pakistan lost their World Cup 1999 matches against minnows Bangladesh and India through match-fixing and whether any player was involved.
Pakistan’s surprise 62-run defeat against Bangladesh at Northampton and 47-run loss against India at Old Trafford are widely alleged to have been fixed.
“Maybe Akhtar’s statement will be recorded at a later stage,” court sources said.
“Akhtar was called in to listen to the proceedings as something against and something in his favor might be said before the commission,” sources said.
“The next hearing is scheduled for Nov 17 and if the journalists do not turn up the requisite warrants will be issued.”
Pakistan’s captain in the 1999 World Cup, Wasim Akram will be summoned Nov 24 along with off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and coach Mushtaq Mohammad.
Wasim’s statement could not be recorded Oct 20 due to little time. Wasim’s four colleagues - current captain Waqar Younis, Inzamam-ul Haq, Saeed Anwar and Moin Khan - recorded their statement last month denying match-fixing allegations. —SADA
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