Salim Malik is back in the news.. but not the way he would like to be. Malik is yet to retire from Test Cricket and recently boasted that he still hoped to return to international cricket. However, the pressure on the former captain looks likely to grow as the deadline for the Qayyum report's release appraoches ever closer. It also seems likely that Malik will receive the severset punishment from the 'transgressing' players. This is not simply because he appears to be the main instigator but also because in an attempt to protect current international players, Malik may be burdened with additional responsibility for the match fixing scandal.

In the Sunday Times today (May 21, 2000) there is a report linking ICC President Jagmohan Dalmiya to Ashim Kheterpal, the Indian bussinessman who allegedly offered England all rounder, Chris Lewis money to recruit England players to underperform. In the article it is also mentioned that former Pakistan skipper Salim Malik is reported to be heading an international match-fixing ring. The report further claims that Malik has allegedly promised to rig the forthcoming England-Pakistan test series for £500,000 per match. He is also claimed to have said that Bangladesh's World Cup victory over Pakistan was fixed.

Meanwhile, there is growing concern in the Britsh papers over the 'mental and physical' state of Shoaib Akhter. Signed to play a season with Notttinghamshire the Akhter has been all but a tourist in the Carribean. On top of that the contradictory statements emerging from the West Indies about Shoaib have further muddied the waters. All is obviosly not well. Lets hope that one of the most exciting players in world cricket is able to overcome whatever is troubling him. England awaits the arrival of the Rawalpindi Express.....late but in working order!