Pakistan ignore Malik for captains' seminar

LAHORE, Nov 12 (Reuters) The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has overlooked former captain Salim Malik, who is serving a life ban for match-fixing, for a seminar to discuss the state of the game in the country.

The PCB has invited around 30 former captains and players to the meeting on Nov. 17 in which preparations and strategy for next year's World Cup and the general state of Pakistani cricket will be discussed.

''No, Malik is not on the invitees' list,'' an official said today.

Malik was banned life for his alleged role in cricket's match-fixing scandal in 2000, the third international player to suffer this fate along with former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin and late South African skipper Hansie Cronje.

Pakistan cricket chief Nasim Ashraf said recently that the board would consider an appeal by Malik against his ban.

The issue came up after the International Cricket Council's executive board this month lifted a life ban on former Pakistan fast bowler Ata-ur-Rehman.

Malik visited the board offices on Sunday to meet Ashraf. ''I had to come to find out if it is possible for me to submit an appeal with the board. I have always pleaded I am innocent,'' Malik told reporters.

Nasim Ashraf, the chairman of the board said he had yet to meet Malik and would than see what could be done in case he wants to file an appeal.

Another board official said the cases of Malik and Rehman were different.

''Rehman was banned for committing perjury and a court ordered us to consider his appeal. In Malik's case he was banned for other reasons and his appeal is still pending with the Supreme Court,'' the official said.

The board has invited former captains Imran Khan, Asif Iqbal, Mushtaq Mohammad and Wasim Akram to the seminar.

Chairman Ashraf found himself in an uneasy position at a news conference on Sunday when it was pointed out that the name of former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad, a strong critic of the board who played 124 tests, was missing from the list.

''I think it is a mistake that is all. His name must not have been mentioned inadvertently. I have spoken to him myself and he is coming,'' Ashraf said.

A official confirmed letters were being sent to Miandad and another former skipper, Hanif Mohammad whose name had also not been included in the list.

REUTERS PM PM1740