When Pakistan lost against Australia in Colombo during the Singer Trophy in the year 1994, players were called for a meeting where it was decided that nothing would be disclosed to the Press regarding this loss. However, in Pakistan the Press had every inkling that all was not well in Pakistan Cricket.

One important fact is that the Australians, while playing were not seemed to be keenly involved in the field, either they knew the outcome of the match or they themselves wanted to loose. It becomes obvious when one sees the video that how easily Mark Waugh and Steve Waugh were stumped by me on Mushtaq`s bowling.

When Australia was on 160, it seemed that they would definitely fight. However, when Tim May was asked to bowl, and the way he bowled is worth questioning. I do not here mean to suggest that the Australians really wanted to loose but the show presented by them raised doubts.

This was the prime time when menace of match fixing caught most of the cricket playing nations. After the conclusion of Singer Trophy Tournament, test series against Australia began. The saga of fixed match against Australia had already been unfolded and the Press in Pakistan was stressing the Cricket Board for the need to eradicate the evil once and for all. But the board denied all these allegations.

On the 4^th day of Karachi test against Australia in 1994, Manager Intikhab Alam and Captain Saleem Malik called a press conference, where they were questioned about the cause of the defeat. The duo put a bold face against all charges, and claimed that neither they lost willfully nor any member is involved in match fixing or betting.

Ironically, the same day Salim Malik offered bribe to three Australian players, Mark Waugh, Tim May and Shane Warne, which was disclosed after five months. Details will be discussed later.

In 1994-95 Pakistan team toured South Africa. I was the Vice Captain. Wasim Akram did not go as he had under-went a surgery of his shoulder. In the initial round we easily won against New Zealand and South Africa. Players played magnificently and we reached the final where we had to play against South Africa. By that time Wasim Akram had arrived.

In the first final at Cape Town South Africa had scored 211 runs, a target which could have been chased easily, however Aamir Sohail got run out, I also got run out while playing along with Wasim Akram and the match was lost. Recording of the match can be fruitful in unfolding the drama.

Second final was to be played in Johannesburg, prior to the match meeting was held among Intikhab Alam, Saleem Malik and me, I was included because I was the Vice Captain. It was decided that the following morning Akram Raza, the off-spinner would be replaced with fast bowler Kabir Khan, as spinner we already had Aamir Sohail, Asif Mujtaba and Saleem Malik. It was also decided that if we won the toss we would choose to bat. However when we reached the ground, Intikhab told me that he did not need to follow my advice and he would prefer to follow what the captain had to say. He also said that Akram Raza would definitely play, contrary to earlier decision.

We won the toss and Saleem Malik put South Africa into bat. Interestingly, South Africa did not include any spinner on their side. Pakistan scored 111 runs against South Africa’s score of 266.

Next morning, Daily Frontier Post made headlines regarding the said match. I was the one to convey this to the newspaper through Usman Shirazi as I had the idea that few players were conspiring to sabotage cricket. To save Pakistan’s name and tarnishing image of Cricket I had to give this information to my journalist friend. I was penalized for my action and had to pay fine also, however before making the news published, I had already conveyed it to Cricket Board. I had talked to Mr. Javed Burki and Mr. Arif Ali Abbasi and told them that the match was 100% fixed, I also explained to them the role played by Saleem Malik his accomplices and Intikhab Alam’s involvement. In response to this, Cricket Board told me that some official will be sent to South Africa. Next day fax message was sent to Initikhab Alam asking for the report, which he did not send. Once again the report was demanded and this time Intikhab sent a return message that detailed report would only be made on his return to Pakistan.

Cricket Board sent Salim Altaf as official to look into the matter. He was member of the selection committee. He called me in his room and inquired about the recent problems. I gave him minutest of the details after which he advised me to stop pondering on such issues and concentrate on playing cricket, however, I refused to heed his piece of advice under such prevailing circumstances. I was to keep my mouth shut. I did not played the next match.

During the match Intikhab came to me and said that people from Radio Pakistan were looking for me for an interview but I should convey that no differences exist in team mates nor any of the player is involved in match fixing. I was interviewed Ihtashamul Haq during the running commentary where I confessed that differences can occur and can be sorted out as well, however, my absence was due to fitness problem. We lost that match.

Immediately, after this tour we had to go to Zimbabwe, where we had to play three test matches followed by three one-day internationals. We lost the first test, allegations were made but I don’t think that it was a fixed one. We won the second test. However it was during the third test when we heard the allegations made by three Australian players against our Captain.

Here I would like to give an analytical picture of Karachi test against Australia in 1994. Australia was positioned comfortably. When I went to bat, we had already lost seven wickets and still had to chase another 150 runs. Solid partnership was established between Inzimam and me. To my surprise captain Mark Taylor chose a new ball (It was a bad decision by the Australian Captain Mark Taylor). Earlier Tim May and Shane Warne were bowling dangerously and I had the feeling that I would be out cheaply. Tim May didn't try to out any player. He is the same person who had bowled badly against Pakistan in Sri Lanka.

So Joe Angel and Steven Waugh started their spell with the new ball and I hit three boundaries in an over of Joe Angel. Surprisingly, McGrath declared himself unfit in the crucial 2^nd innings. If Australian officials decide to initiate inquiry it might lead to clarify whether Australia lost this match willingly.

The two bowlers bowled in such a manner that our scoreboard started ticking quickly. However I got LBW due to mistake of my own. Later Inzimam and Mushtaq added another 60 runs for the last wicket partnership, and Pakistan had a remarkable win.

Ian Healy’s mistake of missing an opportunity to stump out  Inzimam proved fruitful for Pakistan. Tim May bowled in a very irresponsible manner, making way for Mushtaq to score many runs. Australia lost this match, raising many doubts like, whether Australians lost the match at their own will? Whether Australia had planned to lose in Sri Lanka, but as Pakistan had lost and the Australians had already harvested for the commitment so they had to loose the next match, which was to be played in Karachi? ICC should initiate inquiry right from these two matches to root out this menace.

Now I will turn once again to the match fixing debate. It was on 26^th September 1995 when BCCP wrote to ICC regarding an inquiry initiated against Saleem Malik, also clarifying that the players who had made the allegations would come to Pakistan for testifying. On the other side ad-hoc committee appointed Mr Fukhruddin G. Ibrahim to probe into the matter. He was also given an appointment letter by the board, rendering on him full power. He was entitled to travel abroad on first class ticket and avail five star hotel accommodations.  These expenses were to be borne by the Board itself. Intention was to facilitate him so that transparent inquiry should be made. However, the esteemed judge chose to complete his inquiry in Karachi. The question arises at this point why he completed his report in Karachi and why not go to Australia to complete his investigation report on Match Fixing. PCB officials said that the Australian players are not telling truth, that’s why they didn't come to Pakistan. One important thing is that in a latter on 25^th April, 1995, ICC CEO David Richards informed PCB that Australian players will go to Pakistan.

The probe proved to be a farce as only Saleem Malik and Board’s legal advisor Sibtain Fazli were consulted. Arbitrarily Saleem Malik was declared innocent. Neither were we asked to explain our point of view nor were the Australians asked for their testimony. Ad-hoc committee disclosed that as the Australians were lying so they had refused to come to Pakistan. But in 1998 when Australian team was touring Pakistan Mark Waugh and Mark Taylor again endorsed their claim in front of Justice Qayyum.

So on 20^th October 1995 case against Saleem Malik was closed, suggesting that nothing had been proven against him and Fakharuddin G Ibrahim submitted his report to PCB on 21^st October, 1995.

Was it that PCB intentionally saved Malik’s name or was Saleem Malik never involved in match fixing? If he was never involved why the case had to come to light once again? Why his name emerged on match fixing scenario again and again? These questions can either be answered by the board itself or by the esteemed judge Fakhar uddin G. Ibrahim. If the accused would have been punished the crime would not reached such heights and the players might have not crossed the limits of cricket ethics.

Here I would also like to highlight that Wasim Akram’s lawyer defending his involvement in betting, match fixing and other corrupt activities, Mr. Tariq Rahim is the member of the Law firm headed by Fakharuddin G. Ibrahim.

To be Continued .........

Source: Rashid Latif Intelligence Bureau (RLIB)