Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif in match-fixing scandal by Abdul Shakeel

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Player:

Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif

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DateLine: 28th August 2010

 

According to the England newspaper, 'News of the World', Pakistan pacers Aamer and Asif were paid to deliberately bowl no-balls.

 

The paper goes on to allege Pakistan skipper Salman Butt and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal are also involved in the spot-fixing scandal.

 

A person named Mazher Majeed was arrested by London Metropolitan Police as he is alleged to have accepted £150,000 from the newspaper to arrange Pakistan to bowl no-balls during the match.

 

The man predicted that Aamer would bowl a no-ball from first ball of his 3rd over which he did. The man also predicted that Asif would bowl no-ball on the 6th ball of 10th over and same thing happened.

 

Reports allege that the police investigating the scam said they found money, mobile phones and laptops from players rooms which they have in their custody.

 

Pakistan manager Yawar Saeed said, "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 inquiries".

 

The International Cricket Council (ICC), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) joint statement read: "No players nor team officials have been arrested in relation to this incident and the fourth npower Test match will continue as scheduled on Sunday.

 

"As this is now subject to a police investigation neither ICC, ECB, PCB nor the ground authority, the MCC, will make any further comment."

 

The statement also said the ICC, ECB, PCB, along with the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, were assisting the police with their inquiries.

 

Pakistan team is already on the brink of a big defeat in the 4th Test match against England at Lord's. Pakistan were struggling at 41 for four in their second innings after following on, trailing England by 331 run.

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
Copyright © 2010 Abdul Shakeel)