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(Recorded on 26th September, 1998)
During my tenure as chairman of the ad hoc committee of the Pakistan cricket board there were allegations in the press that betting was going on in the Pakistan team. Some players were stated to have been taking money to lose matches. For the tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe (1994-95) we appointed Rashid Latif as vice-captain who we knew and were sure that he would not indulge in match-fixing and betting. When the Australian press carried reports of attempts to bribe two Australian cricketers by Malik, we asked the Australian board about this and we were told that the Australian cricketers who were offered bribes had sworn affidavits which were sent to the icc in London. When we asked them why this affair was not revealed when it took place in October '94 we were informed by the Australian authorities that the chief executive of the ICC had been verbally informed of the bribe offer to Australian players. We asked the chief executive why the icc had not reported the matter to us; he told us he had been informed verbally and he thought it fit not to take any further action. I was informed by Arif Abassi when our team was in South Africa he had received telephonic calls from Clyde Walcott to the effect that Pakistan was involved in betting and match-fixing and that he was much concerned that this evil should be nipped in the bud. I flew to Harare where the team next went. Rashid Latif and Amir Sohail met me in a separate hotel. They levelled allegations of betting and match-fixing against Salim Malik and other members of the team though they did not name them. Since I was about to hand over charge to a new set-up my advice to them was that they should make sure that Salim Malik never again plays for Pakistan. Similarly, action should be taken against another suspect, Ijaz Ahmed and that Akram should be warned. I was absolutely sure that match-fixing and betting was going on in the Pakistan team. There was another incident which was reported to us that a match had been thrown in Sri Lanka in 1994. Salim Malik on that tour rang me up for permission to attend a wedding ceremony in Pakistan during a gap of 8/9 days. I gave him permission and later on it was alleged that during his stay in Pakistan he visited the house of Khalid Ghitti and a deal was struck between them to fix one of the matches of the Singer trophy. The match was fixed and Saeed Anwar had told me that during that match he was asked by the 12th man not to play well and get himself out. I asked Saaed Anwar to make the statement in writing and at that time I was staying in the Pearl Continental. Anwar promised to come over to me and do the needful. Later on, Anwar informed me that he could not do the needful as promised because his brother was threatened by dire consequences if Anwar came over to me and delivered the statement in writing. Thereupon, I told Anwar that I was going back to Karachi and that he should come there on his next trip for making the statement in writing. He did come to Karachi and he telephoned me and told me that he would first talk to Rashid Latif and then deliver the statement in writing. Neither he nor Latif came to me and delivered the statement in writing as promised. I did have eye witnesses as regards the fact that Salim Malik and Mushtaq Ahmed were present in the house of Khalid Ghitti during the aforesaid 8/9 days. I have forgotten his name at the moment but can give it later on. That gentleman had promised to make a statement if he is called in. I order to avoid further humiliation and embarrassment these boys should not be allowed to play for Pakistan. Once Salim Malik was summoned in the presence of Arif Abassi and Zafar Altaf and was informed that since he was involved in betting and match-fixing he cannot be allowed to play for Pakistan. He went off without refuting the allegation against him. I was present in the Old Trafford ground watching the one-dayer between Pakistan and England. I was there in my private capacity. The English team put on 100 runs in the first 10 overs and it was only due to loose deliveries bowled deliberately by Akram and Waqar. I was amazed at the way those bowlers were bowling. Ball-tampering also took place.