ICC 'must take over bribery inquiry'

Cricket

The International Council has been criticised by the Australian Board for allowing the Pakistani authorities to investigate bribery allegations against Salim Malik rather than taking control of the case itself. The allegations were made against the former Pakistan captain by three Australian players.

A former Pakistan supreme court judge, Fakhruddin Ebrahim, last week cleared Salim after conducting an internal inquiry and said the charges made by Shane Warne, Tim May and Mark Waugh appeared to have been concocted. The players alleged that Salim offered them a bribe during Australia's tour last year.

"In ACB's view, not only did ICC have power but it was clearly appropriate for it to conduct an inquiry," the ACB's chief executive officer, Graham Halbish, said in a four-page statement. "The allegations of bribery had the potential from the outset to be extraordinarily damaging to world cricket. At all times since ACB became aware of the allegations ACB has believed that ICC is the appropriate authority to handle those allegations," he said.

The London-based ICC has previously stated it did not have the power to investigate. Waugh said yesterday he was prepared to give evidence against Salim if a second inquiry was held at a neutral venue.

Arif Abbasi, the chief executive of the Pakistan Board, dismissed the idea saying: "Pakistan have done everything possible to meet the ends of justice. How could one investigate a matter twice? "

Pakistan face defeat in the opening first-class match of their Australian tour after batting dismally against Western Australia. In reply to 402 for 5 declared, Pakistan stumbled to 164 all out. At the close of play on the second day, Western Australia were 34 for 1 in their second innings - a lead of 272.