Almost every Pak match fixed, says Yasir Hameed

London:

The British tabloid News of The World, which came out with the sting operation on Pakistan cricketers last week, has come out with more explosive revelations. It's running a video of the Pakistan batsman Yasir Hameed, who played in the Lord's Test, on its website where he claims there were cheats in his team.

However, talking to a Pakistan TV channel, the 32-year-old Hameed completely denied having given the interview. "I am deeply disturbed. There is no truth in that report. I have never spoken to them. I can't even think of accusing my teammates". (See Pics: Pakistan cricket in a 'fix')

In his interview, the opening batsman said that his team-mates have been fixing 'almost every match' and that a player can be played as much as 20,000-25,000 pounds per no ball bowled.

"They've been caught. Only the ones that get caught are branded crooks. They were doing it (fixing) in almost every match. God knows what they were up to. Scotland Yard was after them for ages." Hameed told the British tabloid whose earlier revelations have shocked the cricket world.

(Read: Bookie Majeed explains his 'gameplan')

"It makes me angry that I'm trying my best and they are trying to lose," Hameed told the British tabloid whose earlier revelations have shocked the cricket world.

The Pakistan batsman also described how he became a victim of betting cartels' vengeance for refusing to fix games.

"It's because of all these wrong things that I was ousted, because I wouldn't get involved," he told the undercover reporter.

He also claimed that another game had been thrown.

"The ICC Champion Trophy, Rose Bowl, we lost a match against West Indies, do you remember?"

The match in question is a semi-final game in 2004 at The Rose Bowl in Southampton. The West Indies won the match by seven wickets despite posting just 132 runs after Pakistan ended 131 all out.

The tabloid also revealed that the ICC was investigating a fourth Pakistani player in the spot-fixing controversy. They have said they will not name the fourth player because of legal implications. (Read: Clinching evidence against Pak players: Lorgat | No conspiracy against Pakistan: ICC)

The British tabloid also claimed that the three players - Salman Butt, Mohammed Asif, and Mohammed Amir - face a "staggering" 23 ICC charges between them and each charge runs to six pages.  (Read: Pakistan's tainted trio released without charge)

Pakistan cricket may be in for more trouble as The News Of The World said it will publish full details of the entire investigation, starting in January this year, including the transcripts of every meeting, conversation, email and text exchange.

However, it is learnt that the ICC would appoint an independent commissioner to look into the charges and any action would be taken on recommendation of the appointed commissioner.

ICC president Sharad Pawar told PTI that the cricket governing body has not yet punished any of the three Pakistan players allegedly involved in spot-fixing and the trio have an opportunity to put their side of story. (Read: ICC to appoint independent commissioner)

"We have not punished anybody yet. We have to send a notice to that particular player but that notice is not a final decision. It is a means of giving him (player) an opportunity to explain his position," Pawar said.

"This is not an action (the suspension), this is a sort of notice to them and an opportunity to explain. If he is not guilty then certainly he has the right to put his views," Pawar said.

The players have a right to contest this provisional suspension and a further opportunity to defend the charges at a full hearing before an independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal in accordance with Article 5 of the code.

Meanwhile, PCB officials, Pakistan envoy to UK and members of team management huddled for an emergency meeting to take stock of the developments.

Team sources said the meeting was being held in view of the revelations to be made on Sunday by the newspaper and the effect they would have on Pakistan cricket.

"Pakistan's High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan is also involved in the meeting as is the Chairman of the board Ijaz Butt," the source said.

Former captain Aamir Sohail said Pakistan cricket was facing one of its worst crises and unfortunately the board was unable to handle the situation properly.

"They have mishandled it from the start and instead of going on the offensive against the ICC have been passive. The ICC should be questioned how this spot fixing issue has happened when Rashid Latif in 2003 warned them to be careful and was willing to work on the anti-corruption unit." (With PTI inputs)