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Sarfraz and Imran exchange insults as Pakistan row turns hostile

SARFRAZ NAWAZ, the former Pakistan Test player, said his onetime captain Imran Khan should be stoned to death as the row over bribery allegations among Pakistan players turned into open hostility.

The two clashed when Sarfraz, now sports adviser to the Pakistan government, accused Imran of being a cheat and an adulterer. Imran replied by describing Sarfraz as a gambler and a liar.

The bitterness came in the wake of recent Australian newspaper claims that Pakistan`s present captain, Salim Malik, tried to bribe two Australian players, an allegation he denies.

"Sarfraz is the biggest gambler there is. In England you always found him in Ladbrokes," said Imran in Lahore. Gambling is an offence in Pakistan.

Sarfraz, whose allegations apparently refer to a ball-tampering incident, described his former Test colleague as being "cunning, selfish and money-minded".

On the field Pakistan lost the third and final one-day international against Zimbabwe in Harare by 74 runs to leave the series tied at 1-1. It was Zimbabwe`s third victory in their last nine one-day internationals.

Pakistan had won the second game, on Saturday, thanks to an unbeaten 116 from Inzamam-ul-Haq. Zimbabwe pace bowler Malcolm Jarvis has announced his retirement from international cricket after playing five Tests and 12 one-day internationals.

Australia eased to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final of the New Zealand Cricket Centenary series, thanks mainly to a second-wicket partnership of 88 runs between captain Mark Taylor (44) and Mark Waugh (46). Set 138 to win after New Zealand struggled to 137 for nine, Australia won with almost 19 overs to spare. New Zealand have recalled batsman Mark Greatbatch to face South Africa in a one-off Test at Eden Park, Auckland, on March 4.