Former chief selector Abdul Qadir has backed down from his earlier comments that some Pakistan players could have contact with suspected Indian bookmakers and said he was only voicing concern about the possibility of match fixing.
Former chief selector Abdul Qadir has backed down from his earlier comments that some Pakistan players could have contact with suspected Indian bookmakers and said he was only voicing concern about the possibility of match fixing.
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"I never took any names. I only voiced my suspicions like others were doing that the cricket board needed to hold a thorough inquiry into the reports that players might have had contacts with Indian bookmakers in Colombo," Qadir told Geo Super channel.
Qadir was criticised by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ejaz Butt and the team coach Intikhab Alam for making the match fixing accusations. Butt even threatened the former leg-spinner to take to the court.
"They can take me to the supreme court or high court. I am not scared. I said what everyone else was saying and I did not take any names," he said.
The ICC yesterday cleared the Pakistan players of having contacts with the bookmakers who reportedly tried to approach the cricketers in a Colombo hotel during the recent Test series.
Qadir also insisted that he stood by his earlier demand that the PCB must hold an independent inquiry into the matter.
"I have always said that our players flop when under pressure and when they are required the most to perform. This is a problem the board must look into. I had told the chairman when I was chief selector that any player no matter who senior he is, if he is not performing he must go," Qadir added.
Qadir also feels that there were difference among the Pakistan team members over different issues.
"I noticed these during the one-day series against Australia in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and I tried to talk to the players and resolve these issues. I even told the chairman on returning home about this problem and in return they issued me two showcause notices," he said.
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