Pakistan Cricket Board promises to review Saleem Malik's life ban

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has assured former captain Saleem Malik that the life ban, which was imposed on him in 2000 for match fixing, will be reviewed.

51-year-old Malik, who was banned for life in 2000 for match fixing, met with the Sethi at the Gaddafi stadium and when he emerged out of the meeting, the former skipper appeared a satisfied man.

"Finally a board chairman has heard my point of view. I have informed Najam Sethi that my ban has been removed by a lower court since 2008 and on this ground, I should be allowed back into the cricket fold as I also want to take part in cricket activities and do something for new players," Malik told reporters.

"I have also requested the PCB Chairman to take up the matter with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to find out the exact position on my ban as I have already served 12 years of ban," he said.

A board official Amjad Hussain said Malik had put his point of view before the chairman, who had told him his case would be reviewed in light of the court order given to Malik.

"Malik also offered his services in any capacity to Pakistan cricket and the Chairman has told him that the board will review his case and see what can be done," the official said.

Malik was banned for life by the PCB on the recommendations of a judicial inquiry headed by Justice (retd) Malik Qayyum of Lahore High Court, which after 18 months found him guilty of match fixing and fined five other players as well.

Malik, who has always pleaded innocence, filed an appeal in the Lahore High Court in 2001 but it rejected his petition. He then approached the Supreme Court, which ordered a lower sessions court to decide on his case that apparently ruled in his favour.

Malik was one of three former captains, including India's Mohammad Azharuddin and South Africa's Hansie Cronje who were banned for life in 2000 in the wake of the match fixing scandal.

While Azharuddin is now cleared, Cronje died in a plane crash in 2002.

Malik said that he and his family had suffered a lot since the scandal broke out. "It has been very difficult for me and my family and that is why I want to get rid of this stigma once and for all. I am hopeful now I will get a positive result," he stated.

The former captain, who played 103 Tests and 283 One-day Internationals, said in the past despite several reminders previous Chairmen of the board had not given him a proper hearing.