Islamabad: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lifted the life ban imposed on paceman Ata-ur Rahman in connection with match-fixing allegations after an official inquiry cleared him of charges against him. The PCB is also likely to take a decision on lifting of strictures imposed on former skipper Wasim Akram after the final of the World Cup.Rahman was banned from international cricket and fined Rs one lakh in 2000 after a judicial commission headed by then High Court judge Justice Malik Qayyum found him guilty of perjury.While Rahman and former captain Salim Malik were banned for life, the PCB imposed severe strictures against Akram and some other cricketers. The strictures came in the way of the appointment of Akram as captain of the World Cup team. Rahman and Akram had appealed the Qayyum Commission's ruling in the Lahore High Court which issued a judicial directive to PCB to review the charges against the cricketers.The PCB constituted a one-member committee, consisting of Board official Zakir Khan, to look into Rahman's appeal. The Khan Committee cleared Rahman while a decision on Akram was expected after the World Cup final, a PCB spokesman said in Lahore on Tuesday. Akram's appeal was due to be reviewed in the coming days, he added. Rehman said he had received a letter from the PCB clearing him of all charges and he was very happy about it. "This is the greatest day of my life," he told reporters at his residence En Karachi.The lifting of charges is very timely for Rahman as the PCB is expected to announce a new look Pakistan team for the tri-nation Sharjah Cup beginning April 1.The decision on Akram could be more significant as he is considered to be the front runner for the captaincy following the disastrous performance of the team in the World Cup under Waqar Younis.Akram, who was due to retire from cricket after the World Cup, has decided to stay on saying he has few more years of cricket in him. The Qayyum Commission was set up in 1999 to probe match-fixing allegations against a number of Pakistani players. PTI

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