Sports

Suspend Pakistan over fixing claims: ex-ICC chief

Former ICC boss Malcolm Speed said there was a compelling case to suspend Pakistan from world cricket.

Afp August 30, 2010

SYDNEY: Former ICC boss Malcolm Speed said on Monday there was a compelling case to suspend Pakistan from world cricket after explosive match-rigging allegations hit the national team.

Australia's Speed, who was chief executive of the International Cricket Council from 2001 until 2008, said suspension was a "serious" option for Pakistan.

"It looks as though it is endemic that several of the team members are involved and have been for some time," Speed told national radio. "So perhaps they need a rest. It looks a fairly compelling case."

British police are investigating after the News of the World newspaper revealed claims of "spot-fixing" by Pakistani players in the just-completed fourth Test against England at Lord's.

The alleged fixer at the centre of the storm was also caught on video boasting that January's Sydney Test between Pakistan and Australia was rigged, earning him $1.3 million.

Mazhar Majeed, 35, a property developer and alleged players' agent, was arrested on match-fixing charges in London and later bailed.

Scotland Yard detectives have also grilled Pakistan captain Salman Butt and two of their strike bowlers, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif and reportedly also took possession of their mobile phones.

Speed, who remains a respected figure in the game, said cricket was still bedevilled by corruption. "Corrupt bookmakers and gamblers are still out there," he said.

"(It's) great that they've been caught in England where there is a very sophisticated legal system that deals with conspiracy and specifically with cheating in sport."

"So I see that as a major positive. I would have liked it to have happened when I was involved with ICC but it didn't happen at that time."

COMMENTS (6)

Muhammad Bilal | 14 years ago | Reply He is wrong .... It is wrong step to punish all nation becoz of two or three persons. I think Australian team should also be suspend becoz Watson and another players are closer link with Dawood gang .... Speed is retired there4r he need rest...

Riaz Ahmed | 14 years ago | Reply Speed is a real jerk. He didn't bleep when other players were involved and this scandal will expose others like india as well. Most of bookies are Indian according Vena Malik. Speed is a person no one should heed to. I think it is rotten apple like Malik, Akmal, Asif and Butt and others who should be banned indefinitely. Now I understand who decent and deserving players like Younus, Yousuf and Afridi were treated at the behest of the bookies. It is apparent that afridi told Yawar but he didn't pay attention and monitor his players when Wahab has been handed the jacket. Butt will only let bookie friendlies in the team. Speed did nothing when he was incharge, he is a racist trying to get back at us for rejecting another racist to ICC chief. Who would have backed Howard another buffooon.

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akbar | 14 years ago | Reply Speed is a biased person. By saying so he has tried to take his frustration out. He cannot hide his emotions & inner sense of discrimination against other cricketing nations. He & his PM was so harsh with Zimbabwe cricket during their respective tenures but when it mattered,Howard couldnot resist to beg for ICC vice premiership & even visited that country for a vote in his favour. Having said this it doesnot mean that our cricketers are innocent. On proving guilty,players/officials including PCB administrators, deserve the harshest of punishment to make it an example for others.

Mubeen | 14 years ago | Reply Agreed! But if our team is proved guilty, I would strongly recommend what this chicken head says. They deserve something even worse.

IZ | 14 years ago | Reply Malcolm Speed has a real axe to grind with Pakistan, first over the Darrell Hair issue and more recently over Pakistan's opposition to (former Australian PM) John Howard's candidacy for the ICC's top slot, so I'm unsurprised by the statement. Having said that, given the PCB's pathetic track record of flip-flopping on punishments when it is known that Pakistani players are involved in dubious activities, I can see why he has no faith in the PCB. If they let off the perpetrators too lightly once again, then the ICC has a case for taking action against Pakistan. At least until a new Board is installed which does the right thing.

Khurram Minhas | 14 years ago | Reply Yeah right chicken head! Did you suspend South Africa and India for the same??? The IPL is a blow in the face, and has actually become a legalized den for match fixing, thereafter changing the very class of the game itself. It all happened in your tenure, but you were drunk at that time to think of what you are thinking today.

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