Majid stands by Bacher's statement

Karachi, June 12: Former chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Majid Khan on Monday admitted that he had tipped Ali Bacher off regarding his team's involvement in match-fixing in two World Cup matches.

"I told Ali Bacher last year and I stand by what I have said. If I am called to Cape Town to testify, I will go and repeat whatever I told my counterpart," Majid told Dawn from Lahore.

Majid completed his three-year term last year on May 22 during the World Cup in which Pakistan finished as losing finalists to Australia.

He, however, said he had no evidence to substantiate his suspicion that Pakistan played fixed matches with Bangladesh and India.

"Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum said in a television interview in February 1998 that he is convinced that Pakistan team is involved in match-fixing. If he was convinced, why can't I think, believe and say the same?

"Afterall, I was the one who requested the government to appoint a judicial commission and investigate the matter," Majid said.

Majid said he believes that Pakistan-Bangladesh match was fixed because the odds had started to fall from 42-1 to 33-1 and finally 29-1. "How can odds slump so rapidly if there was nothing fishy going on?

"As regards the Pakistan-India match, I was told by a highly reliable source in England that there was whispering going on that the match would be fixed. I was further told that the bookies had approached the players and a deal had been struck."

Majid said Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum was not allowed to include World Cup in his investigations. He said the government told him to probe the World Cup but withdrew the directive within 24 hours.

Accountability Bureau of Senator Saifur Rehman had investigated the World Cup and after crying foul, said there was no evidence to suggest that Pakistan deliberately lost three matches in the World Cup.

When pressed, Majid said he had no proof but argued that no evidence was required now after Salim Malik has been found guilty of matchfixing. "A match cannot be fixed by one individual.

"It is now upto the present cricket administrators to extend investigations as recommended by Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum in his report."

Asked if any player told him about match-fixing in the World Cup, Majid replied: "The most laughable scenario is that none of the Pakistan or Indian players claim they have been offered bribe while the bookies from the sub-continent have offered bribes to players from Australia, South Africa and England.

"When the players don't accept having been approached, how can they come forward and reveal information?"

The former captain said he never expressed his suspicion of the team's involvement in match-fixing to PCB chairman Khalid Mahmood.

"I never told them anything but my stand on the issue was clear to all after I wrote to the government who accepted the request and appointed Justice Qayyum."

Majid said Ali Bacher called him last month and sought his permission to pass on the information to Justice Edwin King. "I allowed him since I have nothing to hide."