Thursday, August 6, 2009

Saeed denies match-fixers met Pak team


Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed has denied reports that Indian bookmakers approached his players in Colombo.

He also rubbished speculation that match-fixing could be behind the team's Test and one-day debacle in Sri Lanka.

"I am very disappointed'

Yawar said he was flabbergasted by the statements of some former players who had voiced concerns that some players might have fixed matches and have pointed out to the Colombo incident to prove their point.

"I am very disappointed with these statements coming out of Pakistan at a time when the team needs the support of their former players and critics," Yawar said.

"It is absolutely rubbish that any match fixing could have taken place or that Indian bookmakers had approached our players. I would say to these people if they have any evidence of any sort of our players involvement in this heinous crime they should come forward with it and we will take exemplary action.

"But if they don't have evidence they should keep quiet," he said.

Pakistan's former chief selector Abdul Qadir and former Test pacer Sarfraz Nawaz have called on the authorities to hold an independent inquiry into match fixing allegations in Sri Lanka and have expressed fears that some players might have fixed matches.

Qadir suspects fixers in Pak team

The allegations surfaced after the Colombo hotel incident when Yawar reportedly complained to the hotel management that some Indians, who were staying on the same floor as the Pakistan team, were harassing the players and trying to make contacts with them.

The incident led to the PCB bringing the matter to the attention of the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit of the International Cricket Council (ICC) whose representative in Sri Lanka is now inquiring into the matter.

But Yawar said he could not say for certain what nationalities the people were off who pestered his players.

"They were looking for autographs and pictures. They were invitations to have tea with the players. But that happens all the time and there is no evidence these people were bookmakers," he said.

But the ICC has also confirmed it is looking into the incident and related media reports.

Moin Khan criticises Qadir, Sarfraz

Pakistan's former captain Moin Khan also waded into Qadir and Sarfraz for their match fixing allegations.

"Qadir's statement is totally irresponsible and damaging to the team. I demand that the board clamp a life ban on him for making such a statement," Moin said.

The former captain said it was disappointing that a great player like Qadir should give such irresponsible statements.

"If he has any evidence against any player of his involvement in match fixing he should bring to the fore because match fixing allegations have already damaged Pakistan cricket a lot," Moin said.

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