NEW DELHI: Top Indian cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh on Tuesday rubbished the reported claims of a London-based bookie Mazhar Majeed that he had “access” to them, saying that they had never even met him.
Majeed made the claims during his conversations with the now-closed ‘New of the World’ undercover reporter Mazhar Mehmood, who conducted a sting operation on the alleged bookie and players’ agent.
The recording of the conversation were played to a jury and the judge during the criminal trials of Pakistani cricketers, accused of spot-fixing.
While Harbhajan threatened action, Yuvraj simply ridiculed the report of his name cropping up during the trial.
I don’t know who this person is, I have never met him. We will definitely take some action against him. I don’t know whether it will be a legal action or whatever,” said Harbhajan in Nagpur where he is currently playing in the Challenger Series.
“But I will definitely bring it to BCCI’s notice and I am sure that they will take the right kind of action against these kind people who are trying to spoil the game,” added the feisty off-spinner.
Yuvraj took to Twitter to rubbish the report. “…And who is majid!! absolute rubbish! Don’t no never met!” he wrote.
“The problem in india is if some one says a rooster has given an egg it will become news !! Whether its true or not its doesn’t matter,” he fumed.
According to media reports, Majeed named these two Indian cricketers along with a host of other international players, who have also rejected the reported claims.
The name-droppings took place during the fourth day of the trial of former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and pacer Mohammad Asif, who are alleged to have bowled predetermined no balls for cash. Both the players have denied the charges.
The BCCI also rubbished the claims, saying that Majeed has a very little credibility.
“We do not react to such claims by a person whose credibility is questionable,” said a top BCCI official.
Akram, Moin rubbish match-fixing charges
Former Pakistan captains Wasim Akram and Moin Khan Tuesday termed as “ridiculous” and “nonsense” allegations by controversial British sports agent that a number of Pakistani cricket greats, including them, were involved in match-fixing.
Agent Mazhar Majeed told the Southwark Crown Court in London Monday that some of the biggest names in Pakistan cricket took part in fixing of matches.
“Such allegations are ridiculous,” Wasim said.
“I have not even known that any person by the name of Mazhar Majeed existed before the spot-fixing scandal exploded last year,” the legendary fast bowlers said.
Former Test wicketkeeper Moin Khan, like Wasim, said he had never heard of Mazhar during his playing days.
“This man is talking nonsense. He is in a deep mess and wants to get out of it,” said Moin.
CA calls match-fixing allegations outlandish
Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland has said the claims made by Pakistani player agent Mazhar Majeed about Australian match-fixing “appear to be outlandish, and made by a person of dubious repute”.
According to Majeed, Australian players were notorious for manipulating betting on “brackets”, periods of matches in which some bookmakers accept bets about how many runs would be scored.
Sutherland said while Majeed’s claims appear to be baseless, CA would not immediately dismiss them.
“These would appear to be baseless allegations, but at the same time cricket needs to stand very firm in its conviction against corruption in our sport. If there are allegations that have any sense of credibility around them then it’s very important we take all of the necessary action to investigate,” Sutherland was quoted as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald.
“If we charge players and find them guilty we will have no qualms about issuing a life sentence on players who are found guilty of match fixing.” (Agencies)