VIDEO: Match against Lanka was the last result we fixed: Majeed

Following Mazhar Majeed’s arrest on Sunday, the dirty underbelly and the ghost of rigging cricket matches returned to haunt the game. What News of the World reporters unearthed was the biggest fixing scandal to hit the game since Hansie Cronje, Mohammad Azharuddin and Salim Malik were given life-bans for ‘throwing’ matches in the late 90s.

 

 

While the no-balls bowled by Pakistan’s quicks — Majeed was paid £150,000 for the information by the reporters — have been the big talking point so far, the event isn’t even the tip of the iceberg. We take a look at the other information that Majeed revealed — the scandalous past, present and future of his relations with the Pakistan team — to the British tabloid reporters during the sting operation.

 

 

The past

Links with Pak cricketers (2007 - 2010)

 

 

Despite Pakistanteam manager Yawar Saeed’s instructions to the players to stay away from Majeed, the cricketers themselves approached him because they were paid ‘peanuts’, claimed the bookie. Majeed also revealed that it was an ‘Indian party’ that pays him for information, for which he asks these Pakistancricketers to fix situations.

Majeed said: “The players would never tell anybody else. They were the ones who actually approached me about this. This is the beauty of it... I was friends with them for four, five years and then they said this happens. I said really? These poor boys need to (fix). They’re paid peanuts... I deal with an Indian party. They pay me for the information.” Majeed also claims to have opened Swiss bank accounts for these cricketers to hide away their illegal stash and the rigging has gone on for nearly 2 1/2 years. “I’ve been doing it with them, the Pakistanteam, for about 2½ years. And we’ve made masses and masses of money.”

 

 

Sydney Test (January 2010)

 

 

Chasing a paltry 176 runs to win at the second Test at the SCG earlier this year, Pakistanbundled up for 139 runs. The match came under the scanner after Pakistan lost the match after dominating the game and wicket keeper Kamran Akmal was considered to have underperformed, as he dropped five catches. The game was investigated by the PCB, but all players eventually went scot-free.

 

 

Majeed explained: “It was the second Test against Australia in Sydney. Australia had two more wickets left. They had a lead of ten runs, yeah. And Pakistan had all their wickets remaining. The odds for Pakistanto lose that match, for Australiato win that match, were I think 40-1. We let them get up to 150 then everyone lost their wickets. That one we made 1.3. But that’s what I mean, you can get up to a million. Tests is where the biggest money is because those situations arise.”

 

 

Asia Cup (June 2010)

 

 

In the opening match of the tournament, Pakistan lost to hosts Sri Lanka by 16 runs while chasing 243 to win. But the big talking point of the game was when Mohammad Amir was caught speaking on a cell phone in the dressing room before he went out to bat. Yawar Saeed played down the incident and the ICC did not take any action. But as Majeed revealed on Sunday, the result of the match was fixed.

 

 

Majeed said: We don’t do results that often. The last one we did was against Sri Lankain the Asia Cup which was about two months ago. And you get a script as well, which encases which bowler is going to concede how many runs, and which batsman will do what.”

 

 

THE Present

Lord’s Test (August 2010)

 

 

Majeed said: “I’m going to give you three no-balls to prove to you firstly that this is what’s happening. They’ve all been organised, okay? This is exactly what’s going to happen, you’re going to see these three things happen. I’m telling you, if you play this right you’re going to make a lot of money, believe me. I’m only dealing with certain people. How we do it and what we do is very, very crucial.”

 

 

THE Future

England ODI series (September 2010)

 

 

Majeed also claimed that he was plotting for Pakistan to lose two of the ODIs against Englandin the 5-match series starting next month. Majeed excitedly told reporters that their timing to enter the syndicate ewas impeccable as Pakistan were just about to throw away two games against Englandin the ODIs.

 

 

Majeed said: “Boss I’m telling you, the timing you’ve come into. It’s perfect because the one days and Twenty20s are about to start and we’re going to be making a hell of a lot money. The Twenty20s are easiest. Then the bowlers will certainly give a certain amount of runs and they’re going to be batting as well and give their wickets. We’ll finalise a price for each one and we’ll just take it off the balance. We’ll take it off the 150 (grand) balance until we’re square.” Indian Express reports.