Afridi apologises for match fixing scandal

Shahid Afridi apologised for the match fixing row and said the team had been warned not to discuss it.

CARDIFF: Pakistan one-day captain Shahid Afridi apologised on Saturday for the match fixing row, and said the team had been warned not to discuss it.

Test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif have been charged with various offences under the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption code and provisionally suspended, while the trio has also been interviewed by the police.

‘I think this is very bad news,’ Afridi told reporters at Cardiff, where the first of two Twenty20 internationals against England takes place Sunday.

‘On behalf of these boys -- I know they are not in this series -- I want to say sorry to all cricket lovers and all the cricketing nations.’

He added ‘These two Twenty20s and (five) one-dayers (against England) are a big challenge for me as a captain.

‘The coach and I have told the boys not to talk about this issue. It is none of our business, we are here to play cricket.

‘The boys know that. They want to win, motivate themselves and as a captain, that is what I want.’

Britain's News of the World alleged it paid Mazhar Majeed, an agent for several Pakistan players, 150,000 pounds (185,000 euros, 230,000 dollars) in return for advance knowledge of the no-balls, which could then be bet upon.

Afridi said Mazhar had been ‘travelling with some of the team guys, in Australia and the West Indies.

‘I saw him on the tours and I didn't know anything about it.’

Afridi said: ‘I've told the boys 'don't read the newspaper tomorrow - just focus on cricket'.

‘I know the people (in Pakistan) are very upset, and it is very disappointing. But we all love cricket.

‘We want to play good cricket, aggressive and positive cricket. If we can do that, maybe then when we go back home things will settle down.’

Asked if all the one-day matches between England and Pakistan would go ahead, regardless of any fresh revelations, Afridi replied ‘Yes, definitely.’

Collingwood speaks

England Twenty20 captain Paul Collingwood said players might have to be more forthcoming with suspicions if they wanted fixing ‘eradicated’ from the game.

‘There's always been rumours but gradually, as things come out, it may be up to the players to tell the authorities if they think something is going on,’ Collingwood told reporters.

‘Not just the players but commentators, umpires, all of us, we've all got a job to do in the end to get rid of all this.’

‘Sunday was one of the saddest days in my career... I don't really what to have that feeling on a cricket pitch ever again,’ Collingwood said.

But Collingwood insisted the England Twenty20 team, the reigning world champions in the format, were ready for their two matches, both in Cardiff.

‘The players are definitely 100 per cent focused on the cricket that is coming up tomorrow and Tuesday.’