Qayyum report sordid tale of fights, fixes — Report

According to the report, there are tales of dressing-room fights prompted by arguments over bookies’ money, of players declining to provide names to authorities because they feared for the safety of their families, and of harassment of players who declined to get involved.

The paper referred to depositions saying one senior figure, giving evidence in October 1998, had said there were only four Pakistan players “whom I consider absolutely clean”. The report did not name the person.

It quoted another unnamed player as having deposed that, “I can’t disclose the names of the main culprits.”

According to the report, another player, now retired, told the inquiry commission that during 1994 tour of New Zealand by Pakistan, in the final one-day game, he was told, “We have to lose the match,” as a deal had been struck.

“I was offered thousands of dollars. I told him (a team-mate) I would think about it. There were also four or five other players and it was obvious they must also have been offered money.”

The report said next morning, the player was reprimanded when he took a catch and it was reiterated to him that “we have to lose this match”. He had decided not to be party to match-fixing, The Observer said, quoting depositions.

In that game, won by New Zealand by seven wickets, it is alleged intentional wides were bowled.

Another leading Pakistan batsman had deposed, the report said, that in 1994, he went to the PCB and said, “Stern action should be taken against culprits even though other players might subsequently lose matches.”

Among the allegations there are instances of in-form batsmen being asked to retire hurt, of a stand-in captain being chastised for conjuring up two quick wickets and of dressing-room fights on the tour to South Africa and Zimbabwe in 1994-95.

Cronje receives offer

JOHANNESBURG: Sacked South African skipper Hansie Cronje could return to play for an English club once the judicial inquiry into the issue is over, a newspaper report said.

Cronje, living in isolation since admitting to taking about $15,000 from an Indian bookmaker early this year for “providing information”, is reportedly considering a lucrative offer to play for Lashings, a club based in Kent, the Durban-based Sunday Tribune daily said on Sunday.

The owner of Lashings, David Folb, is understood to have spoken to Cronje and his solicitors, the paper said, adding the player could not be reached for his comments.

Lashings is sponsored by an internet betting company called Intertops, the daily said. If he accepts the offer, Cronje will join three West Indian players — former skipper Richie Richardson, Junior Murray and Stuart Williams — in the team. Another West Indian, Eldine Baptiste, is expected to join the club this season.

Richardson is reported to be a director of a restaurant owned by the club, The Tribune added.