7 Pak, Cricket Team Stars Accused Of Match-Fixing: British Media

A British newspaper claims 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.

According to details, Mazher Majeed accepted ￡150,000 to arrange a fix involving Pakistan’s new-ball bowlers, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, whom he allegedly asked to bowl no-balls at specific moments of the match. The paper also alleges that the team captain, Salman Butt, and the wicketkeeper, Kamran Akmal, are involved, along with three other unnamed cricketers.

In a video secretly recorded during the investigation, a man alleged to be Mazher is clearly heard predicting that Amir would bowl the first over of the England innings, and that he would deliver a no-ball from the first ball of the third over. The man also appeared to correctly predict a no-ball from the sixth ball of the tenth over, bowled this time by Asif.

According to sources, sum of ￡25,000 was found in the room of one of the Pakistan players, with further sums of ￡3000-4000 found on two other players. The source also confirmed that Mazher was known to the team, but in an informal capacity, and added that they fully expected to resume the Lord’s Test on Sunday morning.

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.

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.