SA Footy

A BRITISH newspaper story names Pakistan captain Salman Butt as the ringleader of a group of players who have been paid to fix the fourth Test against England being played at Lord's
The News of the World story also claims that bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal are involved.

British police have already arrested a man over the claims.

"Following information received from the News of the World, we have arrested a 35-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers,'' said a spokesman for London's Metropolitan Police.

News of the World, Britain's biggest-selling newspaper, alleged that two Pakistan bowlers delivered three blatant no-balls to order.

The weekly tabloid said it gave about $260,000 to a middle man who correctly told them precisely when the deliveries would be bowled.

The newspaper published images and dialogue from the encounter and a picture of what it said was one of the promised no-balls on Friday.

Pakistan collapsed spectacularly yet again in the series as England closed in on an innings victory on Saturday.

"I can confirm that we are aware of the allegations and Scotland Yard police are with us now at the hotel and we are helping them with their enquiries,'' Pakistan's team manager Yawar Saeed said.

"This is as much as I can say at the moment.''

The News of the World also claimed the alleged fixer, Mazhar Majeed, also tried to rig the third Test between England and Pakistan at the Oval to prove to the newspaper's undercover reporters that he could do it.

The cricket website Cricinfo says it has heard from a source close to the investigation that a sum of about $43,000 was found in the room of one Pakistan player, with further sums of between $5000 and $7000 on two other players.

THE News of the World report quotes alleged match-fixer Mazhar Majeed as confirming suspicions that Australia's extraordinary victory in the second Test in Sydney earlier this year was also rigged.
Thousands of cricket fans watched Australia dramatically come from behind to win the January match at the SCG.

But the News of the World investigation claims the Pakistan team made about $1.4 million from rigging the result.

Doubts were raised on the final day when when Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal dropped four easy catches and missed a simple run out.

Commentators were also staggered at the sudden poor play from Pakistan, who started the fifth and final day dominating the match and clear favourites to win.

The News of the World says it has Mazhar Majeed on camera declaring match-rigging was rife in international cricket.

"Let me tell you the last Test we did ... it was the Second Test against Australia in Sydney,' Majeed said.

"Australia had two more wickets left. They had a lead of 10 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. But that's what I mean, you can get up to a million.

"Tests is where the biggest money is because those situations arise."

The 35-year-old property tycoon who has managed Pakistan players for more than two years said he had also been involved in ball-tampering.

"I used to go out on the pitch to give the players their drinks," he said.

"Whenever we couldn't get a wicket I'd have a lump of Vaseline on my hand. Shake their hand. They'd put it on one side of the ball and the ball would suddenly start in-swinging."

The Cadet wrote:It's about time Pakistan were kicked out of World Cricket. Security concerns in there home country to the extent of having to play away all the time. And match fixing which is destroying Test cricket. What a joke.

smithy wrote:

The Cadet wrote:It's about time Pakistan were kicked out of World Cricket. Security concerns in there home country to the extent of having to play away all the time. And match fixing which is destroying Test cricket. What a joke.

Something needs to be done.

for starters the PCB could start by paying their players a decent amount of money so they don't have to do these things.

Corruption is rife throughout Pakistan cricket, from the players to the board.

dedja wrote:The pain of losing is quickly forgotten when the Pakis visit their bookies to cash in their bets.

dedja wrote:They can nearly smell the cash now ... when will these guys be banned from world cricket?

dedja wrote:All over ... all out for 80. Well done Pakistan, now go collect your spoils.

dedja wrote:From the first Test ...

dedja wrote:The pain of losing is quickly forgotten when the Pakis visit their bookies to cash in their bets.

dedja wrote:They can nearly smell the cash now ... when will these guys be banned from world cricket?

dedja wrote:All over ... all out for 80. Well done Pakistan, now go collect your spoils.

The Jack wrote:What I wonder is how come it takes a newspaper to have the balls to bring these things to light? What the hell is the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit doing? Not much I'm guessing.

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