Pakistan ignore Malik for former 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 25 former captains and players to the meeting on November 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 today to meet with 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.

A 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 meeting.

''We have invited those who we feel can play their role in helping us improve the cricket structure,'' the official said.

However, former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad, a strong critic of the board who played 124 tests, has not been invited.

REUTERS SAM RN1349