A court Thursday overturned a life ban against former cricket captain Salim Malik for alleged involvement in match fixing. Malik was banned following a lengthy inquiry in 2001 after three top Australian players accused him of offering bribes for them to underperform. Malik appealed against the ruling to the top court which earlier this year ordered Lahore's Civil Court to hear the case. Judge Malik Mohammad Altaf ruled in favor of the 45-year-old Malik on Thursday and ordered the ban be lifted. Malik hailed the verdict as a complete vindication, and said he could now return to his beloved cricket, this time as a coach. "I am relieved after the court verdict," Malik told a foreign news agency.