BBC SPORT | CRICKET | Sarfraz says Cup matches fixed

Ex-Pakistan player Sarfraz Nawaz has alleged two matches in the 1999 World Cup were rigged.

He was giving evidence at an official inquiry on Saturday probing Pakistan's matches against Bangladesh and India in the World Cup in England.

The former paceman, appearing before a commission headed by Justice Karamat Bhandar, spoke to Lahore's High Court for two hours.

"He gave a lengthy statement," said registrar Kazim Ali Malik. "I can't go into the details, all I can confirm is he told the commission he believes two World Cup games were fixed."

Sarfraz Nawaz bowling during the World Cup in England in 1979

The Bhandari commission was set up by Pakistan's government last month. Pakistan lost the two games under the spotlight but still qualified for the knockout stage of the tournament and ultimately made it to the final.

Akhtar probe

The commission will also look into the conduct of Pakistani umpire Javed Akhtar when he stood in the crucial final Test between England and South Africa at Headingley in 1998.

"Nawaz had been asked by the commission to make himself available as he was the first person to raise doubts over the results of the matches," Malik said.

This is the second government-level inquiry into match fixing being held in Pakistan.

The first, by Justice Malik Qayyum, recommended a life ban on former captain Salim Malik.

It also called for fines on Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mushtaq Ahmed, Saeed Anwar and Inzamam-ul-Haq, all current Pakistan team members.


	^^ Back to top
	Front Page \| Football \| Cricket \| Rugby Union \| Rugby League \| Tennis \| Golf \| Motorsport \| Boxing \| Athletics \| Other Sports \| Sports Talk \| In Depth \| Photo Galleries \| Audio/Video \| TV & Radio \| BBC Pundits \| Question of Sport \| Funny Old Game ------------------------------------------------------------ BBC News >> \| BBC Weather >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © MMII\|News Sources\|Privacy