ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Test captain Shan Masood this week clarified that no member of the current national squad is involved in match-fixing, saying that his players are intent on winning the upcoming series against Bangladesh and other nations.
Pakistani cricketers in the past have been involved in match-fixing and spot-fixing controversies. The most high-profile fixing incident that rocked Pakistan cricket took place in 2010 when the International Cricket Council (ICC) banned former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif after a tribunal found them guilty of spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test in 2010.
A Pakistani high court judge in 2000 recommended a life ban on former captain Salim Malik for his involvement in match-fixing. The same judge also fined legendary Pakistani cricketers Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mushtaq Ahmed, Saeed Anwar and recommended to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) not to give Akram and Ahmed positions of responsibility again in a detailed report.
During a press conference on Sunday, a journalist asked Masood if he would give any message to the players after javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem’s historic Olympic triumph. The reporter mentioned that bringing glory to the nation can reward players much more than they can earn through match-fixing and other illicit activities.
“I will never question any player’s intentions,” Masood responded. “You used the word match-fixing. I don’t think there is anything that points toward match-fixing in the current Pakistan setup or the current Pakistan cricketers.”
Pakistan cricket team’s dismal performance came under the spotlight during the T20 World Cup 2024 in June this year, when the green shirts crashed out of the group stage of the tournament after losing to minnows the United States and arch-rivals India.
“Whatever happened in the World Cup, it happened. It is now in the past,” Masood said. “You always have to move forward.”
The first Test between the two sides will be played on Aug. 21 in Rawalpindi followed by the second in Karachi on Aug. 30. About the upcoming series, Masood said Pakistan has a “very good opportunity” to win the upcoming Test matches.
“We have to play our own style of cricket that wins Pakistan matches,” Masood said.
Pakistan squad:
Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Aamir Jamal (subject to fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumar Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed
