PCB enquiry committee proceedings leaked

Pakistan cricket is facing a fresh controversy as the video recording of the recent PCB inquiry committee proceedings has been leaked, which has the visuals of Intikhab Alam and Aaqib Javed suspecting Kamran Akmal's involvement in match fixing during Australia tour.

A TV Channel aired the video recordings of the statements made by officials and players in February-March and what came out was infighting and lack of unity in the team.

Intikhab and Aaqib, who were coaches during that disastrous tour, were seen telling the committee members that they wanted to send back Shoaib Malik from New Zealand because of his negative personality but on the insistence of captain Mohammed Yousuf did not take that step.

Aaqib, when asked about the performance of wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal in the second Test in Sydney where he dropped four catches and missed a run-out, is heard saying that there was something fishy.

"I have reservations over the way he (Kamran) missed the run-out. When I saw it I couldn't believe it. How he could miss such a big run-out. I can't say 100 per cent there is match-fixing involved but I have my strong suspicion," Aaqib said.

"I know all about it because I was a victim of it. In 1998 I presented evidence against players but the Judge who was hearing the inquiry ended the matter," he added.

Aaqib, a former Test pacer, who was removed after the tour, also expressed suspicions about the performance of Rana Naved in a T20 match in Australia.

"We have heard things about him as well," he added.

Aaqib is heard telling the committee that Younis Khan faced problems because he did not encourage players when they performed well and that he remained aloof from other players.

He also talks about how Shoaib Malik told him about a meeting held at Inzamam-ul-Haq's residence by some players including Yousuf, Afridi, Malik, Kamran, Saeed Ajmal and Misbah-ul-Haq, where they took an oath that they would stick together and not tolerate any injustice from Younis Khan.

In the video recordings of Intikhab Alam, they are more revelations.

"Kamran is a match-winner but every time we came close to a victory he played a bad shot and got out. I told him he is not doing justice to himself," Intikhab is heard saying.

"I was flabbergasted when Kamran missed the run out. I have serious doubts about him. I have heard stories about match fixing. Even if we give him benefit of doubt it is unbelievable how he could miss the run-out," Intikhab says.

Interestingly when Mohammad Yousuf during his hearing was asked about Kamran's run-out he said, "Some things are obviously clear what shall I say."

He expresses similar reservations about Rana Naved to the committee members.

Intikhab and Aaqib also told the committee members that they were sure that Umar Akmal had faked his back injury after the Sydney Test when he learnt that his brother Kamran was not going to play in the third Test.

Intikhab said he has seen no evidence of match fixing by players other than what he sees on the field.

He is also critical about the players behavior and said, "These players lack lot of things. Education, background and at times I felt they were mentally retarded people.

"They do not understand the repercussions when they play badly and they don't listen to what you tell them, problem lies in their heads, they don't understand."

During the hearing, when Wazir Ali Khoja, a member, said that it is time the bad fish be removed from the team, Intikhab had positive words for Younis Khan.

"He is not a trouble maker he has personality problems and remains aloof," Intikhab said.

But when asked by the committee members to suggest remedial measures he named Yousuf, Misbah, Malik, Kamran and Younis as the players who must be dropped from the team.

Both the coaches talk in length about how Younis, Yousuf, Malik and Afridi never got along and played politics affecting the team spirit.