Sarfraz calls for probe into betting scandal (28 Mar 1997)

28 March 1997

Sarfraz calls for probe into betting scandal

ISLAMABAD, March 27 : The President of Pakistan should order an investigation by government agencies into incidence of betting by Pakistan cricketers, former Test Cricket star Sarfraz Nawaz suggested here on Thursday.

Sarfraz Nawaz, in a letter to the President, called for investigation and thorough inquiry by FIA,ISI and IB in the backdrop of startling revelations by Pakistan opener Aamir Sohail who has recently been banned for one month on charges of indiscipline by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Sarfraz Nawaz claimed that a newspaper had recently reported that Adviser to President Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari on Cricket affairs, Javed Burki, knew full details of the rampant corruption and betting by Pakistan cricketers and "had discussed those with you (President)". Without pinpointing the newspaper, Sarfraz said it had also narrated the incidents and connections of the bookies, "which I had mentioned in my letters".

He said that he had been periodically writing to PCB authorities about the betting incidents but to no avail.Sarfraz Nawaz, while sending the copy of his letter to the President and to the newspaper offices, also enclosed it with copies of his letters to PCB officials and clippings of his newspaper statements about growing involvement of Pakistan cricketers with betting syndicates.

"These allegations must not be taken lightly because these are serious in nature, truth must come to surface", said the former medium-pace bowler, widely credited with having invented the "reverse swing". "I also request that now when more players are ready to speak about this sordid affair, you should hold an immediate inquiry...", Sarfraz, former adviser on sports, said.

He alluded to revelations by discarded Test wicketkeeper Rashid Latif who has corroborated the disclosures of Aamir Sohail. Tracing the incidents of betting by Pakistan cricketers, Sarfraz alleged that millions were made by syndicates when Wasim Akram feigned injury, minutes before the World Cup quarterfinal against India was to begin in Bangalore last year.

Similarly Pakistan were favourite to triumph against England in the one-day series last summer after the Test Series victory. But bookies planned to have Pakistan beaten 0-3. It was only because Rashid Latif refused to become part of the conspiracy that Pakistan won the last one-dayer.

He said Sharjah cricket gave rise to betting and also accused Abdur Rehman Bukhatir of getting Pakistan beaten by Australia in the 1987 World Cup semifinal at Lahore.Even Imran Khan admitted of putting up a wager to the tune of US 4 20,000 in Sharjah, Sarfraz said. Sarfraz said Amir Sohail has revealed to the Press the instances of match-fixing by some of the Pakistani players, including those who captained the team at various times. A new dimension of the issue has also emerged, that even the selectors are involved with the gambling mafia, he said.

He hoped that these revelations were not new since he had been corresponding with the President, who is the Patron of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on these issues and had mentioned the instances where matches were fixed and had also informed the President about the activities of some of the players involved in this ignominious activity. "Letters sent by me also carried conclusive evidences against some of the major actors in the gambling network. It seems that the staff at the Presidency had been holding back these letters and had kept you in the dark about the state of affairs which mar Pakistan cricket today. Sarfraz observed that in response to these letters once, he was advised to take up the matter with PCB. The Chairman PCB, however, tackled the issue very casually and swept it under the carpet by writing that these were sensitive issues and could damage the country's prestige. "Yes, indeed these are sensitive issues, but that does not mean that we should keep our eyes shut. I believe that you have not been briefed properly about the extent the situation has deteriorated. Otherwise you must have taken some corrective measures".

Sarfraz reminded the President that he raised this issue first as a cricketer back in 1979-80 (Pak-India series) when the then captain Asif Iqbal in collaboration with the biggest bookmaker of India, (Raj Baghri) indulged in betting. Later this menace was institutionalized in the form of cricket tournaments in Sharjah. From there this disease spread to the rest of the Pakistani team and many players became addicted to match-fixing.

The former Pakistan captain Imran Khan confessed in his interview in 'Aap ki Adaalat', a ZEE TV programme (1996), that he had also placed a bet worth US$ 20,000/- over a match which was being participated by the Pakistan team under his captaincy,Sarfraz said. In 1987 World Cup, the Sharjah gambling mafia, led by Abdur Rehman Bukhatir, managed to fix the semifinal to make Pakistan lose to Australia. "When as an elected member of the Punjab Assemby I informed the government throurgh a Press conference, Bukhatir sued me for Rs.10 million which is still pending in the court of Civil Judge, Lahore, as Bukhatir and his accomplices are afraid of the evidences I have against them".

Sarfraz said: "I was approached in 1990, though Salman Taseer, present Treasurer of PCB, for a settlement, which I turned down in the national interest". Rashid Latif (Vice Captain) and Basit Ali announced their retirement from cricket due to match-fixing resulting in Pakistan losing Mandela Cricket Trophy against South Africa in 1994,Sarfraz said. He said in the recent World Cup (1996) Pakistan vs South Africa at Karachi and quarterfinal against India at Bangalore were fixed. "The Pakistan captain and manager were all the way claiming that the captain was fit and would play the match, which made Pakistan a favourite for winning at odds 80 against 100. Just a few minutes before the match, the announcement of the captain Wasim Akram that he would not be playing changed the odds to 120 against 100. "This 40 paisa change in odds accrued many millions to the bookies. This was a wholly planned affair. Even vice-captain Amir Sohail was surprised and had to lead the team without any preparation. To the disappointment of the nation Pakistan lost the match".

Sarfraz claimed that after Pakistan won the Test series in England last summer,this country was an obvious favourite to win the one-day series too. "But, the gambling mafia decided to make a kill and fixed the oneday series to be lost by Pakistan 3-0". "In the last one-day match, however, Rashid Latif was given instructions to throw the match but he refused and batted to win the match. Since then he is being ignored by the selectors". "Mr. President, all the above incidents along with corroborative evidences and statements of key players like Imran Khan and Javed Miandad who admit that players indulge in betting, have been conveyed to you and concerned quarters by me through different letters. But I fail to understand why no action is being taken to save Pakistan cricket from this ignominy" Sarfraz said. "I will refer to a similar case in Australia where their top batsman Dean Jones was sidelined after it came to the knowledge of the Australian Cricket Board that the player was involved in betting.

Sarfraz concluded that investigation into cricket betting and match-fixing was urgent "because this cancer is now spreading to hockey matches as well, which may further tarnish the image of the country".

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