Team Pakistan manager wants players to remain cool against England

Naveed Akram Cheema, the Pakistan team's manager, hopes that the upcoming series against England will be a controversy-free and friendly event; a series they want to play in the right spirit of the game, and avoid any sort of untoward incident. Cheema revealed that the Men in Green will be given special lessons regarding the International Cricket Council’s laws about spot-fixing during their training camp at Lahore. This is being done in order to avoid a repetition of the spot fixing scandal that emerged at Lord's. According to the manager, the players will also be told not to lose their cool, whether it be the pavilion or the ground, and to treat the English team with respect, dignity and create a peaceful atmosphere throughout the tour. He did emphasise that the Cornered Tiger should prove themselves via their performances.

The manager touched upon the atmosphere while speaking to the media. “I want this series to be played in the right spirit. In the training camp for the tour, we will be instructing our players to maintain their cool and not get provoked in any situation.” He further said, “What happened in the last series between the two teams is in the past and I am confident that the upcoming matches will be played in a friendly atmosphere. The players will be asked to show aggression only on the field through their performances and I'll be asking them to avoid any sledging to ensure a friendly atmosphere.” During the last Pakistan-England Test series in England, three Pakistani players, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were implicated for spot-fixing, which brought dishonour to the Pakistani team. This left a bitter taste at the end of the tour. Controversy is no stranger to Pakistan-England series; from Shakoor Rana and Mike Gatting fighting on-field, to Inzimam refusing to re-enter the field of play after tea, in 2006 at the Oval, over allegations of ball tampering. The current series consists of 3 Tests, 4 One Day Internationals and 3 T20I; fans and the team management will be hoping that the tour can finish without any major controversy.

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Salman Butt’s family lashes out at Pakistani media for not helping

The aggrieved family members of the banned Pakistani Test skipper and star batsman, Salman Butt, who is believed to be the main architect of spot-fixing saga, have lambasted the national media for not helping an ‘innocent’ cricketer at the time of trail.

Butt along with Mohammad Asif was declared to be guilty of deceit and corruption by a British Southwark Crown Court yesterday. However, the decision on their final punishment is pending by the next week.

In the aftermath of the jury’s verdict, a number of media personnel gathered around Salman’s home to seek the opinion of his family which had mixed feelings of pleasure and grief as the cricketer’s wife gave birth to a baby boy at the same time when the court was writing her husband’s fate.

Talking to the media, Butt’s sister said, “You should realise that you the media is not being helpful by conducting a media trial of Salman. We know our brother is innocent of all these charges.”

His mother told, “What I know is that God is the one who gives Izzat (respect) and Zillat ((disgrace) to everyone. Only he knows the reasons for this. As far as I know my son we have not brought him up in such a way that he should be corrupt. We believe he is innocent.”

She further stated, “Whatever happens now is God's will and we are ready to accept anything. But our son is innocent.”

It is feared that the court’s decree may put Butt, Asif and Mohammad Amir, who had already confessed his guilt, behind the bars for at least seven years. Earlier, the International Cricket Council (ICC) banned the trio from playing any type of cricket for at least five years.

Salman is at the forefront of this gruesome scandal as he was leading the green team when the issue came into limelight. The 27-year-old, who has 33 Test, 78 ODI and 24 T20I games to his name, is not likely to come in action again as he will have turned overage till the end of his punishment period. However, Amir can still have hope to resume his careers.

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Lalit Modi claims umpires and administrators too fix matches

The suspended IPL commissioner, Lalit Modi, on Tuesday claimed that the umpires and administrators of the game also fix matches at the International level.

Soon after the Southwark Crown Court in London declared two Pakistan players - Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt - guilty of spot-fixing, Modi wrote on his Twitter page that it’s not only players that fix matches, rather match officials also fix games.

"It's not only players that fix matches - Sometimes there are Umpires too in connivance with Administrators. Again.. these reports are buried," stated Modi on a micro-blogging website.

A 12-member jury of Southwark Crown Court on spot-fixing, after 16 hours and 56 minutes of debate, found Butt and Asif guilty of charges of “conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt money, levelled against them by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) of Britain.

10 out of the 12 jury members voted against the accused Pakistan cricketers while two voted in their favour.

"It is worst form of corruption. It makes everything else look Pale,” tweeted Modi. "People remotely assisting - match / Spot Fixing or People Preventing the information from coming out are equally to blame for this menace," he added further. 

The former Indian Premier League chairman was suspended from the coveted role soon after the conclusion of the third edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) in April last year.

The discarded IPL chairman asked for severe punishments for those who have been found guilty of match fixing or spot fixing.

"Persons involved in fixing should be completely banned from participating any kind of professional sport,” said Modi, who himself has been accused of financial irregularities by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

"Cricket authorities must have a zero tolerance for spot- fixing. Problem is that quantum of betting has jumped - with no checks and reporting," he added further. 

The spot fixing saga goes back to August 2010, when three Pakistan players, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir conspired with a bookmaker Mazhar Majeed to deliver some deliberate no balls in a Test match against England at Lord’s.

The trio has already been handed bans from all forms of cricket by an ICC tribunal in February this year.

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Zaka Ashraf says he won't tolerate grouping in the team

The newly appointed chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Zaka Ashraf, on Sunday made it clear that he would not tolerate any kind of groupings in the national team.
Ashraf, who has come to the Pakistan cricket with a banking background, has also warned the national players of staying away from illegal and unethical activities, saying that he would deal with an iron fist.
"One thing is clear in my mind I will not tolerate any groupings or monopoly either in the board or in the national team. There is no question of compromise on this issue,” said Ashraf while talking to the media reporters on Sunday.
The PCB chief said that he has been receiving calls from across the world since taking over as the Board's chairman, calling for improvement in the game.
Pakistan cricket has been tainted by a number of off-field controversies over the past year and a half, with the spot fixing saga being the worst of them. Three Pakistan cricketers including former skipper Salman Butt and pacer duo of Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif allegedly conspired to deliver a few deliberate no balls in a Test match against England, in August last year.
The trio has been banned from all cricket for a minimum of five years and a case against them with the charges of conspiracy to cheat, and conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments is underway in London. The Crown Prosecution Service of Britain, an organization responsible for prosecuting criminal cases probed by British police, is looking into the matter, and the trio, if proven guilty, can receive imprisonment for upto ten years and heavy financial penalties.
Zaka, a successful farmer-cum-businessman who had succeeded Ijaz Butt as the PCB chairman earlier this month, made it clear that no leniency will be shown to such cricketers.
"... it is a fact that some cricketers have been responsible for bringing a bad name to Pakistan and Pakistanis all over the world and I can only tell those players that they will be dealt with an iron hand and no leniency will be shown to them," said Zaka.

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Imran Khan asks ICC to adopt new ways to curb match-fixing

Former Pakistan skipper Imran Khan has asked International Cricket Council (ICC) to find innovative ways to curb the evil of match-fixing, as it is extremely hard to detect and prove the offense.
Khan commented on the match-fixing a few days after former Sri Lankan captain Hashan Tillakaratne blew the whistle on corruption in cricket and alleged that Sri Lankan team has been involved in match-fixing since 1992.
The genie of match-fixing came out of the bottle, when the former Lankan skipper claimed to have crucial evidences and threatened to disclose some big names in the near future.
Pakistan’s former captain Rashid Latif also endorsed Tillakaratne’s claim and said that the fixing is a severe issue which needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Latif explained that he was sure that Tillakaratne had evidence to back his claims.
"I have no doubt he has evidence but it all depends on how things go no. If strikes a deal with Sri Lankan authorities than the matter will be brushed under the carpet as in other instances in the past," Latif said.
Analysing the situation, Imran Khan stated that he had no idea about the source of fixing and it was always tough to identify such cases.
"I have no clue whether it happens or not. People can only point it out but it`s very difficult to prove. Special measures are required to deal with the menace,” Khan said.
Khan added, "The ICC should find new ways to control it. There should be a sort of check.”
Meanwhile, Khan made it clear that when the allegations had come up for the first time in Pakistan, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should have taken serious step to control the menace.
ICC has already announced its zero-tolerance policy regarding the corruption in the game. Cricket in Pakistan has already suffered a lot due to fixing issues. Three top Pakistani cricketers, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were charged with lengthy bans after proven guilty earlier this year.
Khan further predicted that if necessary actions are not taken, the situation could get worse with every passing day.

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PCB STILL AWAITING AN ICC RESPONSE ON JAMES SUTHERLAND’S STATEMENT

The Pakistan Cricket Board's Chief Operating Officer, Subhan Ahmed said on Saturday that they were still waiting for International cricket Council’s reply to the letter the board sent to the apex body over Cricket Australia CEO, James Sutherland’s statement. Sutherland had blamed Pakistan for not doing enough to curb corruption in the international sport.

"The ICC has still not sent us a reply to our letter in which we asked them to inquire into the statement made by James Sutherland recently," told the senior PCB official today.

Subhan said that PCB avoided direct interaction with its Australian counterpart on the matter and wanted the governing body to look into the issue.

The board official reckoned the delay in ICC’s reply might be because of Easter holidays. He said that the Pakistan Cricket Board have taken the comments seriously and have asked the world body to look into the matter.

The Cricket Australia Chief Executive, in a recent interview to a leading Australia newspaper, said he did not believe that the Pakistan Cricket Board had done enough to execute the suggestions proposed by Justice Malik Qayyum and his committee in 2000 on match-fixing in Pakistan cricket.

Sutherland said that, had the Pakistan Cricket Board taken enough measures to root out corruption from its national set-up, the spot-fixing scandal embroiling three Pakistan cricketers, Salman Butt, Mohammad Amirand Mohammad Asif, could have been avoided.

The PCB official said that the Pakistan Board wanted the International Cricket Council to inquire from its Australian counterpart about the comments and find out on what grounds the CA Chief Executive had given the statement.

He said that the PCB had been the most allied ally of ICC in its fight against corruption, so Sutherland’s statement came as a surprise to them.

"The PCB has been in the forefront of fighting corruption in cricket and we have taken measures to discipline players. So Sutherland's statement came as a surprise to us," he said.

The PCB COO said that the board will also take up the matter at ICC’s next meeting scheduled to be held inHong Kong in June this year.

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HASHAN TILLAKARATNE ALLEGES SRI LANKAN CRICKET OF BEING INVOLVED IN MATCH-FIXING

Former Sri Lankan captain, Hashan Tillakaratne, has jolted the cricket fraternity, claiming match-fixing has been a part of cricket in his country. He warned that the team could be in serious trouble in the near future, just like Pakistan who suffered recently in England's spot-fixing scandal.

Taking to the Lankan press, Tillakaratne stated, “I say this with responsibility. It (match-fixing) is just like a relay. I run my lap and hand over the baton to you, you complete your lap and give it to another. This is a network. No one can ever go out of it and no one can come into it. This situation was always there.”

However, the former player didn’t allege the team of fixing in the ICC World Cup 2011. He said, “I am not saying that this match (The world cup final) was fixed. But anyway match fixing is something which has been in this country over a period of time. This has spread like a cancer today.”

According to Tillakaratne, the situation has become much worse compared to the past and the reason behind it was corrupt administrators and politicians, who have remained silent for their own gains.

Tillakaratne claimed of knowing all the people involved in match-fixing and threatened to reveal some big names in the near future. He said that there was still some time to stop Sri Lanka from becoming Pakistan.

Cricket in Pakistan has also suffered a lot in the recent past due to fixing scandals. Three top cricketers, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were proved guilty of spot-fixing in January this year. They were charged with lengthy bans and heavy fines.

There were some other players questioned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over match-fixing, but were able to prove their innocence to the board. Although things appeared to be headed towards the right direction, Pakistan’s former wicketkeeper batsman Zulqarnain Haider claimed the opposite.

The 25-year-old left the team during a series against the Proteas in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and revealed later that some players were still involved in wrong doings. He didn’t take any names back then in London, but later blamed Kamran Akmal of having links with bookie

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ZULQARNAIN HAIDER EAGER TO GET BACK IN INTERNATIONAL CRICKET

Former Pakistan wicket-keeper batsman, Zulqarnain Haider, has admitted missing international cricket. He announced retirement from the sport after receiving life threats from unknown people in Pakistan. However, he has shown intentions of making a comeback to the national side after Pakistan police arrested eight bookies from Sialkot, allegedly behind the threat calls to Haider.

The troubled keeper stated, “My cricket has already suffered a lot and I miss playing. I had worked very hard to get into the national side and I don’t know why I was targeted by the bookmakers. But I think the stance I took against corruption is equally important as playing for Pakistan.”

Commenting on his hardships, Haider added, “I started playing cricket in a shadow of crisis. Aged 13, I lost my mother but still managed to continue playing cricket. I never knew that things would turn out this way. I hope that with serious steps, a time will come when our cricket will become clean”

Haider was ready to clear things with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He was well aware about his bad image in the board and country, but wanted to speak to everyone for normalising things.

Although the keeper batsman made his intentions clear to everyone, Chief Selector of PCB, Mohsin Hasan Khan revealed that Haider would only be considered for selection once cleared by the board.

The Pakistan cricket team has suffered a lot in the recent past and 2010 was a year of controversies for the Men in Green. Three top players, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were suspended from any form of cricket following spot-fixing allegations. The trio was later found guilty and banned from playing.

Just when things looked to be heading towards a right direction, Haider fled to London, claiming his life was under threat. Pakistan were left without any wicket-keeper for the final game of the five-match One Day International (ODI) series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The youngster then claimed asylum in UK, as he didn’t feel safe back home. He also wanted his family to be with him, as they were also receiving threat calls. However, the government of Pakistan guaranteed security to Haider and brought him back to Pakistan.

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PCB LAUNCHES EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR PLAYERS, COACHES

Former Test captain of Pakistan cricket team, Wasim Bari revealed on Thursday that the Pakistan Cricket Board has started a program to educate its players and the coaching staff on how to stay away from corruption in the game.

Bari, who heads the program, told media reporters that they have conducted lectures for the regional teams in which they have taught the players how to behave in the international sport. He also told that the players were given lectures on the PCB code of conduct as well as International Cricket Council’s code of conduct.

“We have held lectures for all the regional teams including coaches who are part of the domestic structure and also for the national under-19 and A team players and support staff,” said Bari while talking to a leading news website.

“We are also telling them how to behave in a dressing room, how to interact with strangers and outsiders. How to avoid getting lured into corrupt practices. We are preparing them for international cricket,” he added further.

All these steps are being taken by the Board in the wake of lengthy bans imposed on three Pakistan players, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, following their involvement in spot-fixing in a Test match against England in August 2010.

All the three players were banned from all formats of cricket for a minimum of five years by an ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal earlier in 2011 after they were found guilty.

Bari told that the banned trio was not allowed to take part in the program. He said that the appeal of the players against their bans is yet to be heard so the matter is ‘technically subjudice’ and this did not allow the Board to involve the disgraced trio in any program for the time being.

The 63-year-old former Pakistan wicketkeeper said that the lectures are being delivered in the Pakistan’s national language, Urdu, so that the participants could understand them with ease. He further added that the players and other participants were encouraged to take part in the question and answer sessions.

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New Zealand Cricket flags match-fixing incident to ICC

The Chief Executive of New Zealand Cricket, Justin Vaughan, has said that they have informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) about a possible match-fixing. The alleged incident happened during an international tournament in which some players were treated to dinner by a suspicious businessman.
According to reports, Daryl Tuffey, Scott Styris and Nathan McCullum were seen with a man from Middle East, who was a famous diamond dealer and was also watched by the anti-corruption department. Some media sources have said that initially the players had no idea about that Middle-Eastern guy and his profession. They came to know about his business when he offered them some expensive gems and diamonds on discounted rates.
The New Zealand cricket team manager, Steve Wilkins, reported the incident to the New Zealand Cricket board and its Chief Executive, Justin Vaughan.
The Chief then discussed the incident with International Cricket Council and they told their ACSU to take proper action against the suspected players, who were seen along with the alleged businessman.
The players were interrogated by the ACSU of the ICC, which is headed by the former UK police officer, Sir Ronnie Flanagan. However, the players told them that they did not do anything illegal and were not under the suspicion of match-fixing at any point.
Match-fixing has been a serious issue in the cricketing world. Many examples can be seen who were allegedly involved in match-fixing and spot-fixing. The trio of Pakistan cricket team, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were banned by ICC for their involvement in spot-fixing during their 2010 England tour. They were banned from all types of cricket for at least five years.
According to the footage made by an English tabloid, a suspected book-maker, Mazhar Majeed, was seen taking GBP150,000 in cash in a meeting. Asif and Amir bowled no-balls precisely on the times when Majeed predicted. Such information is used by betting syndicates to place their bets.
After such incidents in the past, the ICC has made sure that no such offence should be entertained in any form of cricket in the world. The ACSU is also taking serious measures to stop such alleged incidents.

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