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Latif apologises


July 06, 2003 22:00 IST

Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has apologised to the Pakistan Cricket Board for writing a letter to the International Cricket Council, raising the issue of "fancy fixing", but that might not be enough for him to escape disciplinary proceedings.

The PCB on Sunday said it is awaiting a response from the ICC to know whether any procedure had been violated by Latif's action, and accordingly it would decide whether any disciplinary action needs to be initiated against him.

"We have asked ICC to explain if any procedures were violated. If ICC says yes, then the matter would be referred to the PCB disciplinary committee, which comprises two judges, one legal advisor and a former Test cricketer," PCB spokesman Samiul Hasan said.

Hasan said Latif, meanwhile, had already apologised for his action.

"He has written to the PCB saying he committed a mistake by writing that letter without consulting the Board. He regretted his decision and said he would not do any such thing in future without prior clearance from the Board," he said.

Asked whether the apology would be the end of the issue, Hasan said it is something for the disciplinary committee to decide, if at all the matter needs to be referred to it.

Latif, the original whistle blower on the match-fixing scandal, raised a storm by asking the ICC to do away with the 15-over fielding restrictions in one-day cricket, saying it encourages betting and "fancy fixing".

Hasan said Latif's letter had put the PCB in a "very awkward position".

He, however, stressed that the PCB understood Latif's concerns over match-fixing.

"He has been a front-runner in exposing match-fixing activities and has even put his career at stake.

"He has not named any cricketer in his letter. Also, nowhere in his letter does he say that match-fixing was still taking place. So whatever he has written are his personal views. He has a right to his views as captain of the team," Hasan said.

"But what we would like to ensure is that such views are not aired in public without the consent of the Board. It has put the PCB in a very awkward position."


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