Why PCB chairman dismisses allegations of match-fixing?
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt on Sunday dismissed allegations of match-fixing against his national team players in a move that surprised one of the country’s parliamentarians.Ijaz added that if any of his subordinates raises the issue of match-fixing, “he is talking nonsense.” In a leaked video recording of an inquiry committee hearing, ex-Pakistan coaches Intikhab Alam and Aqib Javed raised suspicions about the performance of wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal during the winless tour of Australia earlier this year.
Senator Haroon Akhtar, a member of upper house standing committee on sports, said he was surprised and shocked by Ijaz’s stance.
“Couple of months back, PCB showed us the same video footage in which our team coaches clearly raised doubts of match-fixing during the series against Australia,” Haroon said.
Ijaz said the International Cricket Council’s AntiCorruption Unit has instigated strict security measures for all international matches.
“Nobody is allowed to enter into players’ dressing room, only the manager carries a mobile phone with him during international matches and there are several other security measures which they take,” he said. “It’s [match-fixing] all media hype and nothing else.” Haroon questioned Ijaz’s suggestion that the ICC has eradicated match-fixing.
“When our coaches have raised their doubts of matchfixing, it is the responsibility of the PCB to take up this issue,” the senator said.
Ijaz said former captain Younis Khan’s career was ruined by false match-fixing allegations when a parliamen tarian accused Pakistan of throwing the semi-final of the Champions Trophy in South Africa last year.
The PCB fined and suspended seven cricketers – including Younis – on an inquiry committee recommendation for a lack of discipline and poor performance during the tour of Australia.
“How can you suspend and fine players heavily for only poor performance and ill discipline? There is more into it,” Haroon said.
Ijaz said he approved all the fines and suspensions. Six players have since appealed against suspensions and fines.
The PCB chief said that arbitrator Irfan Qadir will submit his report to the board’s governing board, which will take the final decision.
“Let the appeals be completed and I will not comment until we get the final report from the arbitrator,” Ijaz said
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posted @ 12:55 PM,
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