Ex-umpire Holder alleges fixing offer in 1993

Former international umpire John Holder has alleged that he was offered money to manipulate an ODI between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Sharjah in 1993.

"I was in Sharjah in 1993 for a one-day international series between Sri Lanka, West Indies and Pakistan," Holder told BBC. "I was introduced to a man and offered £10,000 [approx. US$ 15,000] to make sure Sri Lanka batsmen put on a partnership of 85. He told me his syndicate were involved in making money as the game fluctuates. I said 'you've got the wrong person'."

Holder said he had reported the incident at the time. "Players and umpires who get involved in match-fixing have got to realise there's no such thing as easy money. Once you get into that, your career is ruined. I couldn't live my life looking over my shoulder, and I'd always be remembered as a cheat, so I had to say no, and reported it."

The Barbados-born Holder, who had played first-class cricket for Hampshire as a seamer between 1968 and 1972, stood in 11 Tests and 19 ODIs between 1988 and 2001.