KARACHI, April 17: As the Indian seniors cricket team would be arriving in Pakistan later this week to play a four-match ODI series against their Pakistani counterparts, ex-Pakistan captain Saleem Malik have been restrained for playing.

Saleem, who was banned from international cricket because of his involvement in match-fixing allegations, had shown his interest to play for the country but was not permitted to play the series since he is serving a life-time ban

Saleem was banned for his alleged involvement in the match-fixing scandal after being found guilty in the Justice Qayyum Report on the issue in 2000.

“As Saleem had been banned from playing all forms of cricket (international, domestic and club cricket), we could not consider the former player for the series,” an official said on Monday.

However, it is ironical that former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin, who is facing same charges in his country, is expected to lead Indian seniors when the series starts from Sunday (April 23) in Karachi

Ex-Indian Test all-rounder Manoj Prabhakar, who was also in the news during the match-fixing saga, will also be appearing for the visitors. —PPI