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Test captain Shan Masood says no match-fixers in current Pakistan cricket setup

Pakistan's captain Shan Masood speaks during a press conference at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on November 29, 2023. (AFP/File)
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Updated 12 August 2024
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Test captain Shan Masood says no match-fixers in current Pakistan cricket setup

  • Many former Pakistani cricketers have been embroiled in match-fixing, spot-fixing controversies in the past 
  • Pakistan will play two Test matches against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi and Karachi from Aug. 21
Updated 12 August 2024
Shahjahan Khurram

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

Topics: Shan Masood Cricket Pakistan Pakistan Test captain Mohammad Amir Mohammad Asif Arab News Pakistan

Pakistan consumer confidence rises by 4 percentage points in two years, survey shows

Updated 6 sec ago
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Pakistan consumer confidence rises by 4 percentage points in two years, survey shows

  • Four in 10 Pakistanis believed the country is on the right track, with optimism higher among men
  • Economic concerns remained most worrying, but their quantum fell drastically across all issues
Updated 6 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Consumer confidence in Pakistan has risen by 4 percentage points from 31.5 to 35.5 over the last two years, which highlights improving public optimism under the government’s tenure, Ipsos market research firm said in a recent survey.

The survey was conducted through computer-assisted telephonic interviews (CATI) and included more than a thousand participants from all provinces and Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan regions on Feb. 2-14.

It comes at a time when Pakistan has undergone a difficult period of stabilization, though international rating agencies have acknowledged improvements after Islamabad began implementing structural reforms as part of its $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.

The Ipsos survey revealed a “measurable” improvement in Pakistan’s economic sentiment, marked by a decline in inflation alongside notable reductions in poverty and unemployment, since the current government took charge two years ago.

“These findings point to a clear two-year transformation in the Consumer Confidence Index, demonstrating the perceived impact of consistent governance and policy measures,” read the key takeout in the survey.

“Sustained performance, coupled with transparent communication of achievements, will be essential to maintain momentum, reinforce optimism, and support further improvements in economic confidence.”

Four in 10 Pakistanis believed the country is on the right track, with optimism higher among men, while confidence in the country’s direction being right increased more than three times, from 12 percent to 40 percent, since the government came to power, according to the survey.

Economic concerns remained most worrying, but their quantum fell drastically across all issues since the first quarter of 2024. Inflation has dropped by 23 percent, unemployment by 10 percent, poverty by 20 percent, electricity prices by 34 percent and the burden of additional taxes was reduced by 18 percent in Q1 2026 as compared to Q1 2024.

“One in 3 Pakistanis expect the economy to strengthen,” the survey read. “Confidence to invest has grown steadily over two years, rising from 11 percent to 16 percent, with even stronger optimism among urban residents.”

Topics: consumer confidence Ipsos survey Consumer confidence in Pakistan Pakistan's economy

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