ICC facilitating spot-fixing: Rashid Latif
Rashid Latif has questioned the ability and willingness of the ICC to stop match-fixing
KARACHI:
Former Pakistan Test captain Rashid Latif has questioned the ability and willingness of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to stop match-fixing and claimed that officials have helped the menace of spot-fixing.
Latif, who played 37 Tests and 166 One-Day Internationals, announced his retirement in protest over suspicions of match-fixing on the 1994 tour of Zimbabwe. He later appeared before Justice Malik Qayyum’s commission and testified against fellow players, including then captain Salim Malik.
The former wicket-keeper, better known for his outspoken campaign against match-fixing, also claimed that there is a chain of officials and players. who are involved in spot-fixing.
“It is a chain from top to bottom and I can bet that it would never end until and unless the ICC wants it to end,” Latif told The Express Tribune while adding that the governing body is facilitating spot-fixing by bringing changes into the game.
“First it was just one power-play of 15 overs. But now the ICC has introduced two more power-plays to the One-Day International format which gives more opportunity for spot-fixing,” added the former captain. However, Latif felt changes in cricket laws could curb corruption in the game.
“There is a need for a change in cricket laws which can help control the menace which is hurting the game badly. I proposed changes in the rules some years back but the ICC did not pay attention to them.”
Meanwhile, Latif also said that opening batsman Yasir Hameed’s remarks seemed to be a non-serious discussion. Hameed, who claimed that he was offered £1.5 million by a bookmaker, faces disciplinary action for discussing the spot-fixing controversy with an undercover reporter. Latif felt that Hameed’s claim was dubious.
“It’s impossible that a single player is offered such a big amount of money.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2010.
Former Pakistan Test captain Rashid Latif has questioned the ability and willingness of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to stop match-fixing and claimed that officials have helped the menace of spot-fixing.
Latif, who played 37 Tests and 166 One-Day Internationals, announced his retirement in protest over suspicions of match-fixing on the 1994 tour of Zimbabwe. He later appeared before Justice Malik Qayyum’s commission and testified against fellow players, including then captain Salim Malik.
The former wicket-keeper, better known for his outspoken campaign against match-fixing, also claimed that there is a chain of officials and players. who are involved in spot-fixing.
“It is a chain from top to bottom and I can bet that it would never end until and unless the ICC wants it to end,” Latif told The Express Tribune while adding that the governing body is facilitating spot-fixing by bringing changes into the game.
“First it was just one power-play of 15 overs. But now the ICC has introduced two more power-plays to the One-Day International format which gives more opportunity for spot-fixing,” added the former captain. However, Latif felt changes in cricket laws could curb corruption in the game.
“There is a need for a change in cricket laws which can help control the menace which is hurting the game badly. I proposed changes in the rules some years back but the ICC did not pay attention to them.”
Meanwhile, Latif also said that opening batsman Yasir Hameed’s remarks seemed to be a non-serious discussion. Hameed, who claimed that he was offered £1.5 million by a bookmaker, faces disciplinary action for discussing the spot-fixing controversy with an undercover reporter. Latif felt that Hameed’s claim was dubious.
“It’s impossible that a single player is offered such a big amount of money.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2010.