Nothing has been proved against Pak players as yet: said Azhar

Former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin today said the 'spot-fixing' charges against Pakistani cricketers are just allegations at this stage and until proven the players should not be held guilty.

"Right now these are just allegations. The investigation is on and nothing has been proved (against Pakistani players) as yet. Anyone can say anything but at the end of the day law will take its time," Azharuddin told reporters here.



Asked if the alleged players should face life bans if found guilty, the cricket-turned politician said, "Its for the board (PCB) and International Cricket Council to decide."
However, Azharuddin feels it was unfair to single out Pakistani players in this whole fixing saga.

Nothing has been proved against Pak players as yet: Azhar

"Its very very unfair. Now so many players are coming out and saying that they have been approached, It's not good because I feel they should have come out at that time and reported the matter and then and there action should have been taken," said the former India batsman, who himself was handed a life ban by the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) on charges of match-fixing.

After the recent 'spot-fixing allegations surfaced, Australian cricketers Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Brett Lee, Mitchel Johnson and David Warner have come out in public and said that they were approached by illegal bookmakers last year.

Apart from the Australian players, two Bangladesh cricketers including skipper Shakib Al Hasan and opener Tamim Iqbal have also claimed that they were contacted by bookies during the home Test series against India earlier this year.

Azharuddin wants Pak 'spot-fixers' punished

Like PCB, Azhar also does u-turn


It may be recalled that two days ago, speaking in West Bengal on the sidelines of a Congress Party meeting, Azhar had called for strict punishment and thorough investigation by the ICC.

"It is a sensitive issue and matter of investigation by the ICC," Azharuddin told reporters here.

"The ICC is investigating the matter and the guilty, if found, should be punished," he added.

World cricket was rocked by the spot-fixing scam last Sunday after 'News of the World' posted a 'sting operation' video showing an alleged fixer Mazhar Majeed making bowlers Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif bowl deliberate no-balls during the fourth Test against England at Lord's.

The bookie also claimed to have links with Indian bookmakers.

Azharuddin wants Pak 'spot-fixers' punished

It may be remembered that at the turn of the century, Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja and Nayan Mongia were allegedly involved in a match-fixing conspiracy.

Life bans were imposed on Mohammed Azharuddin and Ajay Sharma by the Cricket Board in the wake of the CBI report on the scandal. Five-year bans were handed to Ajay Jadeja and Manoj Prabhakar as well.

In fact, three international captains Hansie Cronje (South Africa), Salim Malik (Pakistan) and Mohammed Azharuddin (India) were banned for life for helping to influence the results of matches.

Azharuddin wants Pak 'spot-fixers' punished

Collar turned up, a swagger that oozed confidence, and wrists sent from heaven- that was the Mohammad Azharuddin we knew. The Indian captain who made his international debut in 1985 was an icon. The world was again shocked when allegations were made that while Azhar was making runs for India, he was also fixing matches.

In 2000, Hansie Cronje revealed in his confession, that it was Azhar who introduced him to some Indian bookies. A CBI probe was ordered, and an investigation revealed that the Hyderabadi had taken money to fix matches, and brought in other players as well into the nefarious ring. He was found guilty by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and banned for life. He never got to play his 100th Test match, for the ban meant that his career finished at 99 Tests.

Azharuddin wants Pak 'spot-fixers' punished

Azharuddin is now a sitting Congress MP from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. While the focus is now on Azharuddin the politician, the match-fixing taint will stick to him for life, much like the chewing gum that he was always seen with on the field.

Source: The Indian Express