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The 1999 World Cup inquiry commission Tuesday summoned five individuals, including two former Pakistan captains, to appear before it on Oct 13, officials said.

Kazim Malik, registrar of the case, confirmed that Justice Karamat Bhandari had summoned Majid Khan, Javed Miandad, Zafar Altaf, Khalid Mahmood and Col Iftikhar Ahmad on the next hearing.

"The honourable judge has summoned the five because they are the prime witnesses," Kazim said from Lahore.

Majid has admitted, informing the then chief of United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB) Dr Ali Bacher of his apprehensions that Pakistan's matches against Bangladesh and India were fixed. Bacher revealed the information during Justice Edwin King commission which probed Hansie Cronje's involvement in match-fixing.

Javed Miandad was also one of the key figures when Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum investigated corruption allegations against Pakistan players. Miandad, who had been appointed coach until the World Cup, had resigned a month before the tournament after a reported clash with five senior players.

Khalid Mahmood has been summoned as he was the then chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) while Dr Zafar Altaf was Pakistan team manager.

Col Iftikhar Ahmad has been summoned to verify the testimony of Sarfraz Nawaz who last week informed the commission that he (Col Iftikhar) had files containing evidence that Wasim Akram was in possession of assets worth Rs three billion. "The commission will also decide on Thursday which experts to call to view the video tapes of the matches," said Malik.

"The commission has summoned the five persons for their testimony because all of them were involved with Pakistan cricket in one way or the other in 1999 and can help the investigations," he said.

"The statements of Khalid Mehmood and Majid Khan are very important for the commission, as they were in charge of cricket affairs when the allegations first surfaced," said Malik.

Meanwhile, Former captain Wasim Akram has decided to file a defamation case against Sarfraz Nawaz, his legal advisor said Tuesday.

"It has been decided in principle to file a defamation case against Sarfraz Nawaz. But it will take a week before the case is prepared," Akram's lawyer Zahid Ibraheem said.

Sarfraz told the World Cup inquiry commission of Justice Karamat Bhandari last week that Wasim Akram was involved in match-fixing and he had assets worth Rs three billion.

"While Wasim is mentally prepared to file the case, we have not decided whether the case would be filed in Karachi, Lahore or in England," Zahid added.

Wasim was fined Rs300,000 by Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum when he conducted an inquiry against allegations of betting and match-fixing. However, Wasim was not found guilty of charges that were under inquiry.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mujeeb-ur- Rehman and former Accountability Bureau chief senator Saif-ur-Rehman also denied allegations levelled by Sarfraz and said they would file defamation cases.

Sarfraz, the former controversial Test fast bowler was, however, cool and composed. "If they have decided to go to the court, I will see them there. But I firmly back my allegations which is based on concrete evidence."

© Dawn