Spot-fixing allegations: 'probe cannot be initiated till completion of inquiry by ICC'

The management of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Sports that inquiry into the spot-fixing allegations against Pakistani cricketers could not be initiated till completion of the investigations by Scotland Yard and International Cricket Council (ICC).
The committee, which met with Iqbal Mohammad Ali in the chair, also took serious note of the squad announcement for the upcoming tour to South Africa without the consent of coach and captain. The PCB legal advisor, Tafazul Rizvi informed the committee that Scotland Yard has made it clear in written,. "PCB can't conduct inquiry until completion of the investigation by the Scotland Yard," he said. He also informed the committee that the preliminary hearing of the case will be held in Qatar on 30th and 31st October by the ICC. The PCB has decided to sue the British newspaper if the charges against the players proved false, he informed the committee.
Minister for Sports, Ijaz Hussain Jakhrani reprimanded the former team manager Yawar Saeed who had written letter to the Ministry that the match-fixing allegations could not be discussed in the committee. "Why did you write the letter to the ministry?" he furiously asked Saeed.
Saeed defended himself saying that no other managerial lapse expect for the controversial issue of spot-fixing was reported during the four-month tour. He said that the detailed report of the tour will be finalised within a week. The committee members were furious for not convening the meeting of the PCB's general body for the last two years, when the committee was informed that the issue of the spot-fixing allegation was not discussed in a single meeting of the board.
PCB's chief executive officer, Wasim Bari told the committee that the governing body holds its meetings on regular basis after every three months to fulfil the constitutional requirement, but the general body of the PCB did not meet even for a single sitting so far. He also informed the committee that the PCB has sought explanation from Shahid Afridi for his recent statement saying that the team captain was not served any show cause notice.
The committee also took notice of not consulting the team coach Waqar Younus and team captain Shahid Afridi in selection of the team. Chief selector Mohsin Khan informed the members that it was necessary to take input of the two in selection process. He, however, said that he was asked by PCB chairman Ijaz Butt to quickly finalise the squad for the coming tours due to shortage of time.
The Committee also asked the PCB to decide the case of test cricketer Younis Khan in shortest possible time. "If other players can be forgiven then why not Younis Khan?. If he was not pardoned then it will be decided by the committee to recommend action against the concerned authorities of the PCB," said chairman of the Committee in his ruling. Iqbal Mohammad Ali, later talking to reporters said that the committee took serious notice of the mismanagement of the PCB.