Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today said it will accept the Supreme Court's verdict on an appeal by former captain Salim Malik seeking the lifting of a life-ban imposed on him for alleged involvement in match fixing.

In fact, sources in the board said if Malik was cleared then the PCB would appeal on his behalf to the ICC for the removal of the ban.

Malik, who has been fighting a legal battle since the ban was imposed in 2000, approached the Supreme Court after his appeal was not entertained by the High Court.

"Whatever the decision of the Supreme Court, that would be final as long as we are concerned. We will accept their decision with open arms," Chief Operating Officer of PCB Shafqat Naghmi said here.

Naghmi said their lawyer Tafazzul Rizvi would submit a proper draft on Malik's life ban to the court before May 19, when the appeal is scheduled to be heard.

"Malik was not banned by the board. The PCB only implemented the recommendation of the single-member inquiry tribunal," Rizvi said.

Last year the court asked for an explanation from the PCB on the law it had invoked to hand Malik a life ban.
Source : PTI