Spot-fixing case: Afridi will “stick” to his earlier statements at Doha hearing

LAHORE - Pakistan’s limited overs captain Shahid Afridi has made it clear that he will stick to his earlier statements recorded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the spot-fixing case, when he appears before the anti-corruption tribunal on January 6 in Doha, Qatar.

Afridi and Pakistan team coach Waqar Younis have been asked to appear before the ICC’s anti corruption tribunal either in person or through teleconference, depending on their convenience and subject to their professional commitments.

“Whatever I have earlier said on the issue of spot-fixing involving our three players, I will stick to it because I believe the ICC has enough information about the incident and there is nothing to hide on my part,” the Daily Times quoted Afridi, as telling reporters after a meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt at Gadaffi Stadium.

He dispelled the impression that he had spoken against the suspended players- Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir.

“It is wrong to say that I have given any statement against them. Whatever I saw on the field I recorded my statement at that time,” said Afridi.

“I did not lie to the ICC at the time when I was asked to record my statements, when this incident happened during the tour of England. And I will speak the truth, as there is nothing to hide on my part. The ICC has enough information on the issue and they know a lot on the basis of that information,” he maintained.

Afridi also expressed his sympathies with the tainted trio, who have been out of the Pakistan squad after being implicated in the spot-fixing scandal.

“They have gone through hard times and still they experiencing the same, and Pakistan cricket also suffered due to that. They are like my younger brothers and I pray for them and for Pakistan cricket as well,” he said.

Afridi, who was summoned from New Zealand by Butt to have his input on finalising the ODI squad for New Zealand series, said he had a good meeting with the PCB chief and that he gave his input on the probables list.

“It was a good meeting in which possible combination of players for the team was discussed in length for one day series against New Zealand, and I was of the opinion that Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal should be a part of the team because they are experienced cricketers and they can lift the overall performance of the team,” he said. (ANI)