Lahore: Former Pakistan captain and middle order batsman Saleem Malik has pleaded with the authorities in his country and with the ICC (International Cricket Council) to lift his life ban.
"Hello, my name is Saleem Malik. I've been a captain of Pakistan cricket team. I have been thinking for a few days, I have appealed before and am appealing again. Look, to all the cricket fans, if I have caused them pain, then I would like to apologise to all of you and to the authorities in the ICC (International Cricket Council) and PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board). Look, there is nothing else I know besides cricket. All my life I have played cricket, since I was eight years old. And cricket is my bread and butter. So, I would like to appeal, on human rights basis, that me too, like others (players) have been treated well, that I should also be treated in a similar way. And I will comply with all the conditions sets by the ICC and the PCB. So, I would appeal to, like others have been given a second innings, I hope that I'm also given a chance for a second inning. Thank you," Malik said in the video.
The 57-year-old Malik was found guilty of match-fixing following a judicial inquiry in the year 2000.