Match-fixing: Imran critical of controversy (28 Sep 1998)

28 September 1998

Match-fixing: Imran critical of controversy

By Our Correspondent

HYDERABAD, Sept 27: Former Pakistan cricket captain Imran Khan, now a politician, has said that confusion and controversy surrounding the Pakistan cricketers with regard to betting and match-fixing allegations had caused great damage to the game, the country and the players.

In an exclusive interview to Dawn here on Sunday, Imran observed, "this controversy must be brought to an end as soon as possible in the larger interest of the country and the team.

"This controversy has been surrounding the team for the last four years but the people concerned have virtually failed to fix the responsibility upon the players, who were accused of such allegations.

Imran called for setting up of a high-powered commission to probe these charges and people from the CBR and FIA must be inducted in the commission.

"Had I been at the helm of affairs, I would have decided the matter within six months with the help of CBR and FIA personnel. Those players found guilty should have been sacked from the team since it is a very sensitive and serious matter which had caused irreparable damage to our country and the national spirit," he maintained.

He emphasised that the controversy pertaining to Salim Malik and Wasim Akram, in the wake of betting charges, should also end and these players must get themselves cleared from the allegations so that their confidence is restored.

Referring to similar allegations against the members of a soccer club in England, Imran explained that the players of the said club, who were found guilty, were penalised by the authorities and the matter was decided swiftly once and for all.

On the appointment of legendary Javed Miandad as coach-cum-player, Imran observed that it was a pretty good move for the team and added that he would like to see Miandad continue as the coach since both Miandad and Amir have clicked as a combination to the benefit of the team.

To a query as to how did he see the team's performance after he left cricket, Imran claimed that it was his considered opinion that no other cricket team was powerful around the world than Pakistan's. "No one can defeat us provided the team spirit and the team-work receive top priority. We have the best bowling line-up in years which we lacked in the past."

About the forthcoming series against Australia, Imran said the absence of spin wizard Shane Warne gives Pakistan a clear edge. He noted that earlier this year India outclassed Australia despite Warne's presence.

Regarding the affairs of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Imran stressed the need for a democratic set-up to run the cricket affairs rather than a presidential rule.

He was of the opinion that presently talent of only four cities of the country was taking part in cricket and had he been in a position he would have built up a regional type structure in which players from at least 30 cities must be getting their due share.

"We are not lacking in talent but there was a need to expose the latent talent of the country. I hold out an assurance to you that if real talent was exposed from all over Pakistan then our team would become unbeatable in the world," he stressed.

Imran expressed his dismay at PCB's decision to stop three players, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi and Azhar Mahmood, and said that it had committed a blunder since playing in England could have improved the all-round game of the trio before next year's World Cup (England).

Giving his views on the style of cricket Shahid Afridi plays, the Imran noted, "Shahid has great potential and he should not only be restricted to one-day matches but given opportunities to play Tests otherwise he would lose his confidence." and cited the prime example of Saeed Anwar, who, he said was a one-day specialist but when he was included in the Test team he became a regular player.

Source:: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)