Malik, Akmal doubtful for Pakistani World Cup squad

KARACHI - Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal have so far been unable to obtain a clean chit from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and remain doubtful to feature in the World Cup squad.

The duo has failed to provide convincing answers to queries by PCBs integrity committee, well-placed sources were quoted as saying in The News Sunday.

“There is information available to the integrity committee that Malik received 90,000 British pounds in one of his bank accounts,” said a source. “When questioned by the integrity committee, Malik expressed complete ignorance about the amount which was transferred to his bank account in the UK,” he added, stressing that the committee told the all-rounder that he will have to explain from where and why such a big amount was transferred to his account.

Kamran, too, has been unable to explain certain transactions made to his bank account in Dubai.

Early next week, Pakistan’s cricket chiefs will decide whether to clear the duo for national duty. Also awaiting a decision on the issue by the PCB is legspinner Danish Kaneria. But unlike Malik and Kamran, Kaneria won’t really be able to make the cut the squad even if he is cleared to play for the country.

There are no formal charges against the three players but unofficially it’s confirmed that all of them are match-fixing suspects and need to prove their innocence to obtain clearance for national duty.

The three players were summoned by the integrity committee at the PCB headquarters in Lahore Thursday and Friday but in spite of marathon meetings, the Board was unable to decide their case. A decision, however, is expected Tuesday when the national selectors will meet to decide Pakistan’s preliminary World Cup squad and the One-day team for the series against New Zealand.