Judge wants full evidence

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been asked by Justice Irfan Qadir to provide the full evidence based on which the penalties were imposed on seven cricketers.

Qadir was appointed by the PCB to look into the appeals and heard Younus Khan and legal representatives of Shoaib Malik and Rana Navedul Hasan yesterday. Younus wanted all the evidence to be made public while Malik and Rana preferred to keep it behind closed doors. “All the players requested that the evidence should be made available to them,” said Qadir.

“I’ll direct the board to give full access to the evidence so that all of the legal representatives come with full preparation on the next hearing date.” “Two players have asked to keep the details confidential but the proceedings will remain transparent and the media will be kept informed.” Qadir added that Younus wanted his hearing to take place as soon as possible and thus his appeal wil be heard today while Malik and Rana - currently out of country - will be heard on May 22.

“Whatever the date players asked, the PCB gave them,” said the PCB’s legal adviser. “No personal interest will affect the proceedings but we will go ahead in the national interest.” Shahid Afridi and the Akmal brothers – Kamran and Umar – were also fined but are currently in the West Indies for the World Twenty20. “Those players will be heard after the tournament, probably in the last week of May,” said Qadir.