Ex-Pak cricketers slam PCB over fresh ’spot-fixing’ allegations

Karachi, Sep 20(ANI): Former Pakistan cricketers have expressed disappointment over fresh ’spot-fixing’ allegations against the national team, and said that the disorganised structure of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was to blame for all the controversies.

Former captain Imran Khan said that the controversies have damaged Pakistan’s image in the cricket world.

“The team’s morale has been badly hit and I think unless we change our entire cricket structure nothing will change. We have to change things from the root,” The News quoted Imran, as saying.

“Pakistan cricket cannot survive like this in present structure where there is no accountability of the management,” he added.

Former off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq echoed similar sentiments, and said that it was disheartening to know that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is now investigating the third ODI against England.

“What cricket can we expect from the players when there is so much media pressure on them,” Saqlain said.

“There is a clear move to put our team under pressure. The media and people need to support the team right now,” he added.

Former players Zaheer Abbas and Abdul Qadir also voiced concerns, saying that the new claims were part of a conspiracy.

“I think the ICC has taken a decision (to launch an inquiry) in haste and the PCB must protest with them. The new allegations are from a newspaper of the same group as News of the World, so I see it as a conspiracy against Pakistan,” Abbas said.

Former leg-spinner Qadir said: “I see the latest fixing allegations as part of the Lord’s Test scandal and there are people who are targeting Pakistan team, which should be protested strongly.”

The ICC has launched an investigation into Friday’s ODI between Pakistan and England at The Oval after the sport’s governing body received information from a British newspaper on the scoring pattern in the match. (ANI)