KARACHI, Oct 24 Former Pakistan captain Salim Malik has said it is painful to watch suspects of the match-fixing inquiry report, which came out about 10 years ago, holding prime cricket positions.

“It is disheartening to see Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed coaching Pakistan and England teams respectively and Akram Raza working as a first-class umpire in Pakistan,” Malik said in an interview on Sunday.

“They were all named in the inquiry. How they are holding official positions if the findings of the inquiry were correct,” he questioned.

Malik was banned for life on the recommendations of the one-man inquiry tribunal headed by Justice (retd) Malik Abdul Qayyum in 2000 while five other players were let off with fines as the tribunal didn't find sufficient evidence to ban them.

“Why was I made the scapegoat? It is a travesty of justice that the other players who were named, suspected and questioned in the match-fixing inquiry are now holding prime cricket positions,” he said.

He added that he would fight for justice as Justice Qayyum had admitted on a talk show that he didn't have enough evidence to ban him (Malik).

“He [Justice Qayyum] admitted he punished me on the will of some strong cricket personalities and legends.

“I have become an outcast in society and suffered a lot during the last 10 years because of the ban. I want to know why I was targeted,” said Malik.

The 47-year old former batsman, who leads a secluded life, has threatened to expose the truth behind the match-fixing inquiry report.

Malik, who played 103 Tests and 283 One-day Internationals, has broken his silence in the midst of a fresh spot-fixing scandal that has hit Pakistan cricket.

Test captain Salman Butt and pace bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir are all presently serving provisional suspension by the International Cricket Council for allegedly agreeing to bowl no balls in the fourth Test against England.

Malik has made several appeals in lower and higher courts against his life ban, but in vain. As a result of which he cannot hold any official position or job in the PCB nor can he openly take part in coaching or other cricketing activities authorised and recognised by the PCB or the ICC.—Agencies