PCB refuses to accept Ali Bacher's allegations

Karachi, April 20: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it did not accept any allegations and added that it would not compromise the position of the country at international level.

"I am surprised that Pakistan has been accused of throwing a match in the World Cup," PCB director, Yawar Saeed, said from Islamabad on Thursday.

He added: "What astonishes me more is that the accusation has been levelled 10 months after the conclusion of the tournament."

He was reacting to United Cricket Board of South Africa's managing director Ali Bacher's statement.

Yawar said: "Pakistan will not accept any allegations until they are supported by evidence. Accusations have to be backed up by hard evidence.

"Pakistan condemns the menace of match-fixing and supports the proposal of hardest punishment against anyone found guilty."

"I don't have any proof to prove him (Dr Ali Bacher) wrong. But if he says he will reveal the details at the international forum, he will find us prepared. We are doing our homework and I assure Pakistan's position will not be sacrificed."

Yawar Saeed said he will get the detailed news clippings of Ali Bacher's interview from Ehsan Mani, PCB's representative in the International Cricket Council (ICC), on Friday.

"I will consult my chief (Lt-Gen Tauqir Zia) and only after that will comment what we have to do," he said without ruling out the possibility of contacting Ali Bacher and seeking verification of extracts of interviews attributed to him.

On Javed Akhtar, Yawar Saeed said the umpire definitely came under the umbrella of the PCB because he was nominated by the board. But said the retired umpire and former Test player would only be inquired when the board receives any official complain.

Yawar said it was premature to says if the relations between Pakistan and South African cricket board's would be tensed following Bacher's interview.

"How can I says 15 minutes after being told that Ali Bacher has levelled accusations against Pakistan. We will have to go through the details. Building relationships is difficult but it requires a minute to destroy them," he said.