With Pakistan cricket in the midst of its worst crisis amid match- and spot-fixing allegations, the head of the country’s cricket board tried to deflect the blame by accusing English players of making “enormous” money in the ongoing series against Pakistan.
“We will not spare (Pakistani) players who may be involved in match-fixing, but they are not alone in this business. The English players also made enormous money in this series,” Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ejaz Butt told this newspaper.
“You see how their batting collapsed in the third one-day match (that Pakistan won). They were definitely involved (in match-fixing),” he alleged.
Mr Butt added: “The Pakistani players should not be the only ones to be punished. If others (from other countries) are making millions, they should also be brought to book.”
The PCB chief said bookies had also referred to some English players who were making money while Pakistani players were being held accountable. “I do not mean the Pakistan players (involved in fixing) should be let off free... but why we don’t speak about the English players or others. The law should be the same for all,” he said.
Mr Butt said: “The bookies say they paid enormous amounts of money to the English players. This should also be investigated.”
The PCB chief added that International Cricket Coun-cil chief executive Haroon Lorgat is “not a saint from heaven” — who everyone should believe. The PCB had launched its own investigation, he said, and would soon announce the names of all those involved.