An appeal by former Pakistan captain Salim Malik against his life ban from cricket will be heard by Lahore's high court next week.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) banned Malik from all forms of cricket and fined Rs1 million (�12,000) in May last year after a match-fixing inquiry conducted by Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum.

Former pace bowler Ata-ur-Rehman was banned for life on charges of perjury while six other players - Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul Haq, Mushtaq Ahmed and Akram Raza were fined.

The ICC said on Tuesday that they were pressing for Rehman's international ban to be extended to domestic cricket in Pakistan and England.

'Unending torture'

"I am really happy and feel that justice is on its way for me," Malik told BBC Sport Online.

"I have been subjected to an unending torture through this life ban with no fault of mine."

Malik now lives a reclusive life in Lahore and is rarely seen at social or cricketing functions.

"I am thankful that Lahore high court has admitted the case," Malik said.

"Whether I play again or not I would [like to] get my name cleared and then serve cricket again."

Malik, 37, is one of three former international captains serving life bans on charges of match-fixing.

Former South African skipper Hansie Cronje's appeal against a life ban was rejected last month while India's Mohammad Azharuddin has also filed an appeal against his ban.

Malik's lawyer Raja Jahanzeb Akhtar is more confident for his client.

"It's a major success because the court has admitted that the inquiry which banned Malik was without jurisdiction and the decision against the star batsman was arbitrary and harsh," Akhtar said.

Successful skipper

Justice Karamat Bhandari, who will hear the appeal, is also probing charges of match-fixing involving the Pakistan team during the 1999 World Cup held in England two years ago.

In 103 Tests for Pakistan Malik, scored 5768 runs at 43.70. In 283 one-dayers he accumulated 7169 runs and took 89 wickets.

He captained Pakistan in 12 Tests, winning seven and losing three.

Australian players Shane Warne, Mark Waugh and Tim May alleged that Malik, then Pakistani captain, offered them bribes to under-perform while on tour in 1994/95.

But Malik's lawyer said he hoped the ban would be lifted and Malik would play again.

"First the Australians and then the Pakistan Cricket Board spoiled the image of my client, Malik is a simple man and no one defended him properly," Akhtar said.