Habib Bank may sack Salim Malik

By Rizwan Ehsan Ali

KARACHI, DEC. 9. Former Pakistani Test cricketer Salim Malik might be sacked by his employers Habib Bank Limited if he fails to convince HBL's disciplinary committee, it was learnt here on Friday.

Malik was banned for life by the Pakistan Cricket Board on the recommendations of Justice Malik Muhammad Qayyum, whose match- fixing report was made public in May this year.

Malik works as vice-president in Habib Bank and had been leading the side in the domestic cricket competitions. However, this year, despite repeated requests by Malik, the PCB did not allow him to compete even in domestic cricket after the Justice suspected his involvement in fixing of international matches and recommended a life ban on all forms of cricket.

``We have asked Malik to appear before the disciplinary committee and clear his position,'' a top official of the bank told reporters on Friday. ``We will definitely ask Malik why he brought a bad name to HBL as the bank's reputation has been affected due to life ban on him''.

The official warned that if Malik, one of the three Pakistan players to complete century of Test matches with 103 tests under his belt, fails to convince the disciplinary committee, ``will be sacked from the post of vice-presidency.``

Malik was first alleged by Australian Shane Warne and Mark Waugh for offering money to lose Karachi Test during the 1994 home series. He was later banned for life and handed a Rs. 1 million fine by Qayyum in his 162-page match-fixing report.

However, Malik has got a stay from Lahore High Court on all the penalties imposed on him and the hearing is scheduled for January 6, 2001.

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