Pakistan World Cup probe committee questions Mushtaq

Mushtaq Ahmed, the assistant coach of the Pakistan team, was the first person to appear before the inquiry appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board to evaluate their early World Cup elimination.

Pakistan were knocked out of the World Cup after just two matches when they lost to hosts West Indies and debutants Ireland.

Their coach Bob Woolmer died the day after the Irish defeat and Jamaican police are investigating his death as murder.

''Mushtaq was very candid about the reasons for the team's performance and gave some useful insight into what had happened,'' Ejaz Butt, the chairman of the inquiry committee told Reuters today.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has been asked to appear before the committee tomorrow.

Mushtaq said simply that he had told the committee that there were many reasons for the defeat to Ireland and the captain should not be solely blamed for it.

RECORDING PROCEEDINGS The committee, which will also question other players, team officials, journalists and board administrators, was recording its proceedings, member Saleem Altaf said.

''We just want to be sure whatever is said before the committee is on record and helps us exactly in compiling our findings,'' he said.

Altaf, a former test player, said that what had happened in the World Cup could not be undone. ''But we are asking some hard and relevant questions hoping to learn from the mistakes so they are not repeated again,'' he said.

The committee has been told to give its report in 30 days.

REUTERS DH RK2056

Viewer's Comment

Comments Not Available

More Stories