Pak to wrap up WC match-fixing inquiry

A Pakistani commission investigating allegations of match-fixing at the 1999 World Cup said on Tuesday it would soon release its findings.

The commission, headed by the Lahore High Court's Justice Karamat Bhandari, has taken a one-month extension to complete its inquiry into allegations that Pakistan fixed World Cup matches against Bangladesh and India.

Pakistan lost both games before progressing to the final where they lost to Australia.

Former South African cricket head Ali Bacher, who raised suspicions of foul play in the two matches, has been asked by the commission to present evidence.

"We are going to wind up our inquiry and prepare our report by January 31, even if Dr Bacher cooperates with or declines our request for a statement," Kazim Ali Malik, registrar of the commission told Reuters from Lahore.

Malik said the commission would write to Bacher one more time to ask for a statement.

"The Justice will prepare his report on the basis of witnesses examined so far by the commission. We will not be calling any more witnesses to record their statements," Malik said.

"But we are keen that Dr Bacher give us a statement or share any more information he might have on the two matches with us."

Bacher, now executive director for the 2003 World Cup, said in mid-2000 he had been told Pakistan played "fixed" World Cup matches against Bangladesh and India.

The commission began its inquiry on September 23 and has questioned a number of present and former Pakistani internationals, Pakistan Cricket Board officials, a bookmaker and journalists.

Current Pakistan captain Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram, who captained the team at the World Cup, together with World Cup players Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saeed Anwar, Moin Khan and Mushtaq Ahmed have all denied the match-fixing allegations.

Mail Cricket Editor