Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas feels the ICC should keep a close watch on the fifth Indian Premier League in the wake of the recent reports about spot-fixing in international cricket. "The ICC may have dismissed the recent reports quoting an Indian bookmaker but it would be prudent that a close watch is kept on the IPL," Zaheer said in an interview. He said although the IPL is treated as a domestic event of the Indian board but given the spate of reports about spot-fixing,the ICC needed to play a more proactive role and keep a watch on the event. "The IPL is tailor made for bookmakers who want to bet on cricket," he pointed out. Zaheer,also known as the Asian Bradman for his batting feats,said spot-fixing was a menace in international cricket that could never be completely wiped out. "It can't be eradicated completely. Because till cricket is played people will gamble and bet on matches. But yes definitely authorities can take control steps to ensure the sport is kept as clean as possible," he said. He expressed apprehensions that given the recent incidents of spot-fixing people might lose total interest in the credibility of the game. "It is the credibility of cricket that is at stake. I don't want to see that day when people don't believe in results. Already people express doubts over matches during interactions," he said.
