London/New Delhi/Islamabad, Aug 30 (IANS) A day after charges of match-fixing rocked world cricket, International Cricket Council (ICC) president Sharad Pawar Monday said serious action will be taken against any Pakistani cricketer found guilty, even as an Indian name cropped up in the controversy.
Delhi-based freelancer photographer Dheeraj Dixit was named by Pakistan fast bowler Mohammed Asif’s ex-girlfriend Veena Malik as the Indian connection in the episode.
Malik alleged that it was Dixit who lured Asif into the dark world of match-fixing.
‘Asif used to get frequent calls from an Indian number. I thought he was having another affair and called back one day to find out the truth and it happened to be the number of Dheeraj Dixit,’ Veena said.
Dixit, who is currently in London covering the Pakistan series, refuted the charges and claimed that it was Veena who used to fix matches for Asif.
‘It was Veena, who called me. Veena claimed that she was Asif’s wife. But I told her that Asif was not married, but she said that they were in a live-in relationship. She said she can fix matches for Asif and wanted my help. As a photo journalist I thought it was my moral responsibility to probe the matter. I have now become a soft target because I interact with players,’ Dixit said in London.
‘Veena told me that Asif has lost a lot of money due to his court cases. And she wanted my help to get in touch with some Indian buisnessmen who can help Asif make some money through match fixing,’ he said.
Meanwhile in Delhi, Pawar said the ICC will wait for the investigation to be completed and also ruled out an Indian link in the scandal.
‘It is improper for me to say a thing at this point. The British police are investigating the case and we will take action after that. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will never encourage or protect anything which is wrong,’ said Pawar.
‘The prime minister of Pakistan has shown seriousness on the issue. It is a good thing. I will be speaking to the PCB and ECB to discuss the matter,’ said Pawar.
The arrested agent, Mazhar Majeed, who was caught on videotape accepting 150,000 pounds in a sting operation conducted by The News of the World (NOTW) tabloid ,also admitted that the betting syndicate made 830,000 pounds from the Sydney Test earlier this year featuring Australia and Pakistan.
Three Pakistani players – including captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir – are charged with under-performing in the fourth Test match between England and Pakistan that ended Sunday.
‘Let me tell you the last Test we did. It was the second Test against Australia in Sydney. 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. But that’s what I mean, you can get up to a million. Tests is where the biggest money is because those situations arise,’ said Majeed.
Video evidence proved that Mazhar received some 150,000 pounds from the tabloid and it prompted the London’s Metropolitan Police to quiz three Pakistan cricketers over claims they were involved in a betting scam.
Majeed allegedly lured Pakistani fast bowlers Amir and Asif to deliver three blatant no-balls at the agreed moment of the the final Test against England. Reports also suggested that Pakistan captain Salman Butt and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal too were involved.
The second Test between Australia and Pakistan in Sydney last January is also under suspicion. At the start of the fifth and final day, Pakistan were in a supremely dominant position but managed to lose dramatically.
Australia led by a mere 49 runs with just two wickets of their second innings remaining and with only one recognised batsman left.
In extraordinary scenes, Australia’s last two batting partnerships managed 124 runs. That set Pakistan the relatively easy target of 176 runs to win. But they were bowled out for just 139 and lost.
There were widespread accusations of cheating at the time and Pakistani coaches raised doubts about wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who dropped four catches and missed an easy run-out.
Three of the dropped catches were off the bat of Michael Hussey, who went on to score 134 not out.
