PCB gets proofs of fixing of Sydney Test: Report

Melbourne:

The Pakistan Cricket Board has been reportedly given evidence that its players fixed a Test and a Twenty20 match during their disastrous tour of Australia this year.

Pakistan were whitewashed in all the formats -- Tests, ODIs and Twenty20s -- by Australia during the tour. But it was the New Year's Test match which came under the scanner most since Australia had pulled off a remarkable come-from-behind victory in that game, 'The Australian' reported.

A Cricket Australia spokesman said on Wednesday night he had heard nothing about match-fixing allegations.

"Our view on that match has always been that we won it from behind through our own efforts," he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

A former Test player said he had suspicions about the Test but it would be nearly impossible to prove.

Leading by 206 runs after the first innings, Pakistan reached 1-50 in their last innings chasing 175 runs. But soon lost nine wickets for 89 runs and with it the match by 36 runs.

Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal dropped four catches in the third innings and missed a run out chance against Shane Watson when he was on 49. The opener later went on to score 97.

Akmal dropped Mike Hussey thrice as the left-hander amassed 134. Pakistan's defensive field setting also helped Hussey and tail-ender Peter Siddle to add a crucial 123 runs.

Earlier this year, Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam and manager Aaqib Javed had told a PCB inquiry that they had suspected the involvement of bookmakers in the events that saw the game lost.

Aaqib also had suspicions about the performance of fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan in a Twenty20 match in Australia Sacked captain Mohammad Yousuf was also said to be suspicious of the missed run out.

On returning to Pakistan, the PCB banned Naved and Shoaib Malik for a year, while imposing an indefinite ban on Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan. Heavy fines were imposed on Afridi and the Akmal brothers for indiscipline.

Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria who played in the Sydney Test was arrested recently for his alleged involvement in match fixing during a game for Essex last season.