Never heard of bookie approaching Indian players: Sachin Tendulkar

While three Pakistan cricketers are expected to be questioned by Scotland Yard detectives on the ?spot-fixing? scam, cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar on Friday said Indian players have never been contacted by bookies.

?Never ever in my 21 years of international cricket, have I heard that bookies approached Indian players,? Tendulkar told reporters here.

He further said the ?spot-fixing? allegations will bring ?disrepute? to the game if proved true.

?The International Cricket Council (ICC) should make a thorough probe into the scandal and take strict action immediately. This is a big issue. If the allegations prove to be true, it will bring disrepute to the game,? Tendulkar said.

Meanwhile, Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were suspended and charged Thursday night by cricket’s governing body.

The ICC in their charge-sheet confirmed the three are accused of “various” anti-corruption offences.
ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said: “We will not tolerate corruption in cricket as simple as that. We must be decisive with such matters and if proven, these offences carry serious penalties up to a life ban.”

The charges were related to alleged irregular behaviour during the fourth Test between England and Pakistan at the Lord’s last month.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner in London Wajid Hasan, claims the players were “set up”.
He said they have withdrawn from the current tour against England because of the “mental torture” they underwent.

The ban follow allegations by the News of the World that a middleman accepted ?150,000 to deliberately bowl no-balls during the fourth Test.

Following the report, Mazhar Majeed, 35, a cricket agent who also owns Croydon Athletic Football Club, was arrested by Scotland Yard and later released on police bail.

“Were the videos timed, were they dated… do you have the answers to these questions?” Hasan said.

When asked whether these players have been set up, Hasan replied: “yes, I would say that.”

The charges mean Butt, Asif, and Amir are “immediately barred from participating in all cricket and related activities until the case has been concluded”.
sb