A British newspaper claimed that as many as seven Pakistani cricket players on tour to England have been allegedly involve in match fixing. The claim was made public after a 35-year-old man was arrested after allegedly being caught offering to bribe Pakistan’s bowlers to bowl no-balls on demand.
‘The News of the World’ tabloid splashed details of a sting operation it conducted on a London-based individual, Mazhar Majeed. The tabloid said it gave 150,000 pounds to him after he promised to arrange for Pakistan bowlers to bowl no-balls during the match. Majeed, 35, was arrested on late Saturday night by the Scotland Yard. The ICC too has now risen to the issue. They have come out with a release after the sting was telecast, saying investigations are on and also clarifying that no player has been arrested.In a statement the ICC said, “No players nor team officials have been arrested in relation to this incident…Test match will continue as scheduled on Sunday.” However, seven Pakistani cricketers are now under investigation for match-fixing. The Pakistan Cricket Board has also confirmed that some of the players are under investigation.
“Scotland Yard detectives had visited the team hotel where they had taken statements of captain Salman Butt, fast bowlers Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Aamir, and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal,” Pakistan team manager, Yawar Saeed said from London. The two Pakistan cricketers who allegedly bowled no-balls under directions from Majeed were Mohammed Amir and Mohammed Asif. Both bowlers delivered three no-balls in the ongoing Test against England on Thursday and Friday at the historic Lord’s. The two bowlers delivered the no-balls at precisely the moments promised to our reporter’, the tabloid said. “Our undercover team was posing as front men for a Far East gambling cartel. In return for their suitcase of money Majeed then calmly detailed what would happen – and when – on the field of play next day, as a taster of all the lucrative information he could supply in future,” it reported. Majeed reportedly said: “I’m going to give you three no-balls to prove to you firstly that this is what’s happening. They’ve all been organised, okay? This is ‘exactly’ what’s going to happen, you’re going to ‘see’ these three things happen. I’m telling you, if you play this right you’re going to make a lot of money, believe me!” Majeed identified Pakistan captain Salman Butt as the ‘ringleader of the band of cheats’. He also reportedly named wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal and boasted that he had a total of seven corrupt cricketers in his pocket, the report said.Majeed is identified as a property tycoon with a house in Surrey worth 1.8 million pounds.
The British media also claimed that Scotland Yard raided the rooms of Pakistani cricketers and seized their mobile phones, laptops and passports while Pakistani High Commissioner to UK Wajid Shamsul Hassan was also present on the occasion. The UK police also arrested a man outside the hotel where the national team is residing; however ICC said that none of the Pakistani players has been nabbed. Pakistan’s team manager Yawar Saeed while talking to Dunya News confirmed that the allegations were being investigated, with police turning up at the team hotel, shortly after the close of an eventful third day of the Lord’s Test, in which Pakistan were left on the brink of defeat after losing 14 wickets in the day.
Match-fixing scandal embarrassed nation: Iqbal Ali
Match-fixing scandal embarrassed nation: Iqbal Ali Talking to Dunya News, Chairman Standing Committee for Sports Iqbal Muhammad Ali said that the match-fixing scandal embarrassed the whole nation. He deplored that the dirty acts were being done under the nose of authorities.
Life ban be imposed on players: Tauqir Zia
Former chairman PCB Lt Gen Tauqir Zia, while talking to Dunya News, said that if the allegations proved, a ban should be slapped on the players involved in the match-fixing scandal besides their properties should also be seized. He lamented that the players were lured by the urge to make easy bucks.
PCB should conduct an inquiry of the matter: Sarfarz Nawaz
Former test cricketer and fast bowler while talking to Dunya News termed the event as a failure of Pakistan Cricket Board management and chairman. He said that the entire nation will be greatly disappointed if the players are found guilty. He added that PCB and standing committee should conduct an independent investigation.
British media trying to malign Pakistani players: Iqbal Qasim
Talking to Dunya News former chief selector PCB Iqbal Qasim said that it seemed as if the British media has unleashed a propaganda to malign the Pakistani players.
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