Karachi: Pakistan legend Wasim Akram will file an appeal against a ban on captaining his country after being implicated in match-fixing, relatives said on Wednesday. "Wasim has met several experts on law, and to my knowledge he has already filed an appeal against the recommendations of a judicial inquiry," Wasim's wife Huma said. Pakistan's first match-fixing inquiry, conducted by Lahore high court justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum in 1998 and 1999, banned Salim Mallik and Ataur Rehman for life and fined six others including Wasim, who was fined 300,000 Rupees (about $ 5,000). The Qayyum commission also censured Wasim and recommended he should not skipper his country again. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) implemented the recommendations in May 2000. Pakistani media has been widely speculating that current captain Waqar Younis, although appointed captain until the World Cup in 2003, will make way for Wasim after the on-going series against South Africa. Pakistan has a history of sacking captains and coaches midway through their tenures. Sources close to Wasim said he would file an appeal in the Lahore High Court on December 22, explaining his reluctance to play Test matches in South Africa from December 26. He is currently playing One-day series in South Africa. PCB spokesman Samiul Hasan confirmed Wasim conveyed his desire to file an appeal. "Wasim, as an independent citizen, has his right to challenge, but the PCB is not providing him any legal or technical support," Hasan said. He refused to comment on whether Wasim will be appointed captain if he wins the appeal. "We will cross that bridge once it comes," he said. Wasim led Pakistan to a runners-up finish in the last World Cup, held in England in 1999, but his three tenures were marred by match-fixing controversies. The eighth World Cup is due to be held next February and March in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya.

Tags: cricket, karachi, pakistan, wasim akram, match-fixing, wasim akram's wife huma, malik mohammad qayyum, salim mallik, ataur rehman, pakistan cricket board, pcb, waqar younis, world cup in south africa, samiul hasan, england, zimbabwe, kenya.