Legal proceedings, and a whispering campaign

The Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to initiate legal proceedings against Rashid Latif for alleging that the fourth one-dayer was fixed. The Indian Express also reported that a request had been made to prevent Latif from issuing such statements. Shaharyar Khan, chairman of the cricket board, said, "We feel Latif's assertions were baseless and unpatriotic, so we have decided to take legal action against him."

But Latif, who had first brought matchfixing to light, said that he was ready for a battle in court. "I am ready to face any legal action, I have done so in the past and since I believe that there was wrongdoing, I am ready to face legal action. I have some basis to form such allegations, and I have met the [ICC's] Anti-Corruption Unit people in a hotel in Karachi and have shared my basis with them."

Latif met with Martin Hawks and Alan Peacock, both anti-corruption investigators, a day after the fourth ODI.

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Javed Miandad is unsurprised by the allegations of matchfixing, and says that a Pakistan loss always provokes a whispering campaign, according to Press Trust of India. "I am not surprised that we have some people again questioning the commitment of the players and starting a whispering campaign about the match being fixed. It happens every time we lose. Why don't people say anything when we are winning matches?"

Miandad attributed loose bowling to the defeats, but believed that Pakistan could still win if the bowlers tightened up their game. "I think it is time they [the bowlers] sorted out this problem with their individual hard work. I can only work for hours with them and tell them why they are overstepping or bowling wides. I have done my best. Now they have to stand up and take responsibility. These extra runs and overs are costing us heavily. But I am confident that if we control this problem of gifting runs through extras, we can beat them despite their strong batting line-up."

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Rahul Dravid played down India's underwhelming record in crunch matches, and spoke about a good run against Pakistan in pressure games instead. The Times of India quoted Dravid as saying, "It is true that we have not done so well in finals, but it is mainly against Australia. We had not played to our full potential in the past and we are aware of it. If we play to our full potential, the result will take care of itself."

He emphasised the importance of positive thinking, and said, "We have not done well against Australia in the finals, but we probably have better results against Pakistan. We have to go into the match with a positive frame of mind."