PCB chief praises Sir Condon's report

By Rizwan Ehsan Ali

ISLAMABAD, MAY 24. Lt. Gen. Tauqir Zia, Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board, termed Sir Paul Condon's report on match-fixing in cricket as an excellent research work.

After reading the report, which was released on the internet on Tuesday, the PCB boss appreciated the Anti-Corruption Unit's, of which Condon is the chief, efforts and said, ``it's a well- documented report. It's the most precious research on match- fixing in cricket ever prepared.''

Zia said the PCB would fully cooperate with Condon in his investigations. ``All the cricket boards around the world should now extend their full support to Sir Condon so that the menace of match-fixing be eradicated,'' he said.

The PCB boss had delayed his comments on the report but has promised to launch judicial inquiry into Pakistan's 1999 World Cup matches against India and Bangladesh.

``As far as the World Cup allegations are concerned, Pakistan is committed to carry out judicial investigations and a request has already been put up to the government,'' he said.

Zia said the PCB had been following the recommendations of Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum, whose report is mentioned in Sir Condon's report.

``We are already following the suggestions which could help us keep our players away from such controversies. But we are more than willing to learn more from this report to further strengthen our system,'' Zia said.

Zia said he was delighted that Pakistan's inquiry into match- fixing and betting had been praised and accepted by the supreme body and its investigators. ``I don't want to go into the debate that who should get the credit for Condon's investigations. I am more interested and proud that Pakistan's efforts have been praised.''

On the recommendations of Qayyum, PCB banned former captain Salim Malik and fast bowler Ata-ur Rehman for life and fined Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Inzamam-ul Haq, Mushtaq Ahmad, Saeed Anwar and Akram Raza.

``If I am provided with more solid evidences against my players that they are involved in corruption, I promise we will take severe action against the guilty players,'' Zia said.

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