Match-fixing has always degraded Pakistan’s image in world cricket. Be it in international matches or domestic circuit, news related to fixing have kept on emerging from time to time. Now again, Pakistan cricket is in the news for the wrong reasons and this time, a player has revealed much more information.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Aaqib Javed recently said that he was once approached for match-fixing. Javed revealed that the wrongdoers threatened to finish his career if he didn’t listen to their orders. The 47-year-old played for ten years from 1988 to 1998 where he featured in 22 Tests and 163 ODI. Javed picked up 54 wickets in the longest format, and 182 scalps in ODIs.
Speaking to a local channel, Javed recalled the incident. He further mentioned that a player was given expensive cars and millions of rupees for fixing games. Javed said that Saleem Pervez, another former cricketer, had been used as a mediator to attract the players into the crime.
“Lavish cars and millions of rupees were handed over to a cricketer. I was also asked to fix matches and was told that if I did not comply, my career would be finished. Players were approached with match-fixing offers through a former cricketer named Saleem Pervez,” said Javed as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.
Currently, Javed is the head coach of Lahore Qalandars team in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He opined that not falling for the trap led to his career being shortened. The Sheikhupura-born stated that attempts to sidelining him were made because he was not ready to work according to offenders.
“When I came to know about fixing, I took a strong stance and stood by it. I don’t regret the fact that it shortened my career, as I strongly believe in my values. People tried to sideline me from tours because of my stance and would also reprimand those people who would talk to me,” added Javed.
Javed further articulated that speaking against match-fixing means, nothing but ending your own career.
“These things [letting players return] encourage those who have been involved with match-fixing. Those who blow the whistle against match-fixers hurt their own careers,” concluded Javed.
