Match-fixing controversy: Irfan says stranger sent gifts

New Delhi:

The corruption scandal that has rocked international cricket is finding an echo in India as well with out-of-favour pacer Irfan Pathan on Friday claiming that he was sent expensive gifts by a "stranger", suspected to be a bookie, during a series.

Although he did not disclose when exactly the incident happened and which team he was playing against at that time, Pathan said expensive gifts were sent to his hotel room during the series and he reported the matter to the team manager.

"I was in a team hotel when a stranger approached me. He sent three expensive gifts to my room. He later sent me two more expensive gifts, things I couldn't afford," the 25-year-old, whose last Test appearance for India was in April 2008 against South Africa, told to a TV channel.

"I thought it was wrong as I didn't know this person. I reported to the team manager who then alerted the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit Officer," he recalled.

The pacer, whose career has been hit by injuries and a slump in form, was last seen in an ODI for India in February 2009 against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Pathan said he never saw the "stranger" again and is proud to have reported the matter to the concerned authorities promptly.

"I haven't seen the stranger since then. I think I have done the right thing and I am proud of it. As a player you are expected to report any such thing as per the code of conduct," he said.

His disclosures come amid the raging spot-fixing controversy which has led to the suspension of the Pakistani trio of Test skipper Salman Butt and pacers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.

The three players were provisionally suspended by the ICC for allegedly conspiring to bowl no balls to order during the Lord's Test against England last month.