Fixing scandals in Pakistan cricket: First-ever inquiry commission did not get its desired goals, says Ejaz

ISLAMABAD: As the never ending saga of betting and match-fixing in Pakistan cricket peeps up yet again, the chairman of the first-ever inquiry commission Justice (retd) Chudhary Ejaz Yousaf revealed that had his interim report was allowed to get it desired goals, the menace would have been dead and buried there and then.

In an exclusive interview with this correspondent, the former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Executive Council member and the chairman of the first ever commission constituted to look into the allegations of match fixing and betting, said that had further inquiry be initiated on his interim report submitted with the PCB in 1998, the matter would have been settled with architect getting what they deserved.

“I was heading a three-member commission that also included Nusrat Azeem and Mian Munir. We were given the mandate in 1997 by the PCB to look into allegations of match-fixing and betting that surfaced immediately after 1993 international commitments starting from the New Zealand tour during the same season. After thorough investigation we submitted an interim report with the PCB and recommended further investigation into what we have received from interviews and documents, in an effort to settle the matter once for an all.”

In a twelve-page interim report submitted with the PCB, Justice Ijaz Yousaf Commission, recommended-the last para, “However, the committee considers very much appropriate to save the youngsters and new entrants in the game from being affected further and spoiled by the soiling atmosphere if any. The stalwarts namely Wasim Akram, Salim Malik and Ijaz Ahmad against whom categorical allegations had come on record may for the time being be kept away from the Pakistan team and be not considered for selection further. However, final decision against them and all other concerned may be deferred to the finlisation of inquiry and findings.”

Justice (retd) Ejaz Yousaf said that in all such cases there had always been requirement to reach and unearth the architects. “Following months of investigations that included players and official interviews, we succeeded in unearthing the architects. What was required from there on to investigate the matter further and clamp a life time ban on all those who were directly responsible for betting and match -fixing or the one who had direct connections with the mafia. Following our report it was too easy to reach the truth. What you required was some more investigation to settle the matter once and for all.”

The former first class cricketer who served as the member PCB Executive Council for almost two decades admitted that over the years betting and match fixing had destroyed countries image and has deprived the team of the results of which they were capable of achieving.

“Look what happened in 2010 during the England tour was meant to destroy the combination of Pakistan team for the 2011 World Cup held in India. Just imagine, had there been Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt in the 2011 World Cup team what would have been the results. Pakistan would have greater and bigger chances of winning the World Cup. But those who are running this betting and match fixing show around the world and have their agents everywhere never wanted Pakistan to field a strong outfit for 2011 World Cup. This did not happened once but many times in the past also.”

Ejaz Yousaf, however, maintained that the one who is not habitual and has gone through the sentence or fine should not be teased or followed. “Look if a player is not habitual and does not have an evil mind and had just committed mistake once, should be forgiven. After all he has got what he deserves. Those deliberately repeating such acts, knowing well what they are doing is meant to destroy the image of the country and the game should be dealt accordingly. They don’t deserve any sympathy.”