‘Either the worst team, or the best at match-fixing’

SYDNEY
The alleged match-fixer at the centre of a betting storm engulfing Pakistan was in Sydney and met Pakistani cricketers during January's Test against Australia, which he claims was rigged, a report said Monday.

Pakistan players have been implicated in explosive newspaper allegations which led to the weekend arrest of Mazhar Majeed, a property developer and players' agent, on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers.

Britain's News of the World newspaper said it paid 150,000 pounds (230,000 dollars) to a middle man in return for details about the timing of three no-balls in the fourth Test at Lord's during the series against England.

The fourth Test ended Sunday in victory for England by an innings and 225 runs -- Pakistan's heaviest Test defeat of all time.

The newspaper in its sting also recorded the agent claiming that he had earned 1.3 million US dollars from the Sydney Test, which ended in a remarkable come-from-behind victory for Australia.

Majeed boasted to the newspaper how he had rigged the Sydney Test, which Australia won by 36 runs after Pakistan collapsed in their second innings.

The Australian newspaper said an investigation had found Majeed was with the players in their hotel rooms.

It said that Majeed and his brother, Azhar Majeed, were closely involved with the Pakistan cricketers and claimed to represent Younis Khan, Abdul Razzaq, Butt, Asif, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq and others as their agents.

There have been lingering suspicions over the authenticity of the outcome of the Sydney Test as Australia recovered from 257 for eight to put on 124 runs for the last two wickets.

Australian batsman Mike Hussey was dropped three times by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal on his way to an unbeaten 134 with the aid of some unusual field placings to leave Pakistan 175 for victory.

Akmal dropped a total of four catches and missed an easy run-out during Australia's second innings. Pakistan then lost their last nine wickets for 89 runs to ensure Australia an unlikely victory.

Majeed boasted of his part in Pakistan's capitulation in the Sydney Test.
"Let me tell you the last Test we did. It was the Second Test against Australia in Sydney," he told the News of the World.

"Australia had two more wickets left. They had a lead of ten runs, yeah. And Pakistan had all their wickets remaining.

"The odds for Pakistan to lose that match, for Australia to win that match, were I think 40-1. We let them get up to 150 then everyone lost their wickets.
"That one we made 1.3 (million). But that's what I mean, you can get up to a million. Tests is where the biggest money is because those situations arise."     
Former Australian Test captain and commentator Ian Chappell said he had suspicions about the Sydney Test, and concluded that Pakistan were either "the worst cricket team" or "the best at match-fixing".

"If a newspaper can do this, then what have the ICC (International Cricket Council) and its anti-corruption body been doing?" Chappell told The Australian.

The ICC's anti-corruption unit earlier this year cleared Pakistan of any wrongdoing in the Sydney Test.

Former Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson, who was commentating on the Sydney Test, said: "It was a remarkable game of cricket when Pakistan seemed to have the game in hand and fell in a heap.

"That can happen in sport, it's not unusual. It was just because Pakistan were involved that people raised an eyebrow.

"One likes to think that Australia won it on its merits. It's one thing to make statements on it and another to prove it, so we look forward to more evidence of that.

"I don't have much sympathy for these players if they're found guilty." AFP

Kiwis seeks advice ahead of Pakistan tour

WELLINGTON
New Zealand Cricket has reserved comment on match-fixing allegations surrounding the Pakistan cricket team, which may jeopardise its scheduled tour to New Zealand in December.

Chief executive Justin Vaughan told The Associated Press on Monday his organisation could not immediately comment on the allegations against Pakistan players or discuss ramifications for its future tour schedule.

He said New Zealand would seek advice from the International Cricket Council before addressing the allegations or assessing any impact on its own international programme.

Alleged fixer bailed in Pakistan 'scam' probe

LONDON
British police on Sunday bailed without charge a man arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers in their probe into an alleged betting scam surrounding the Pakistan cricket team.

"A 35-year-old man has been bailed until a date in the future," a Scotland Yard spokesman told AFP.

He said the police would not be discussing the date or his bail conditions.

Pakistan board demand access to 'fix' probe

KARACHI
Pakistan cricket chiefs on Sunday requested British police give them access to the Test match betting investigation, adding that both the country's president and prime minister will be kept informed.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the British Foreign Office has been asked to help them access the investigation.

The PCB said it has reported the matter to President Asif Zardari, who is also the patron of the PCB, and to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani.
President Zardari and Prime Minister Gillani have already ordered a separate inquiry in their own country.
 

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