Sarfraz asks PM to intervene in cricket affairs (2 Apr 1997)

Sarfraz asks PM to intervene in cricket affairs

ISLAMABAD, April 2: Former Test cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz has urged Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif to take action against agents of gambling mafia in the national cricket team.

In a letter to the Prime Minister he said it is an issue of national importance as the evil of gambling and betting in cricket has a potential to destroy the national image, adding that it has already caused lot of harm to the national prestige.

Sarfraz Nawaz said there exists a gambling Mafia which fixes matches in connivance with some of the players. He pointed out that recent statements of key players of the national cricket team, including Aamir Sohail and Rashid Latif, reaffirm what he has been saying since last two decades. He asked the Prime Minister to take personal interest in the matter, being an admirer of cricket, and approach the President to bring radical changes and restructure the Pakistan cricket board. He said the present week management can neither bring positive changes in the team nor restore the image of Pakistan cricket team.

Sarfraz also urged him to ensure that Pakistani team does not participate in Sharjah cricket tournament in future saying that Sharjah is a known den of gambling Mafia. He said there are some teams which refused to participate in the tournament, accusing the organisers of indulging in match-fixing, which was widely publicised all over the world. He hoped that the Prime Minister will take immediate corrective measures in the National interest despite his busy and hectic schedule. The Test cricketer of yore also sent some documents for the information of the Prime Minister and sought time from him to explain in detail the state of affairs in cricket.

Source: Dawn