 A leading Pakistani news channel have disclosed a new footage of player's agent Mazhar Majeed, who was accused of indulging Pakistan players in spot fixing
in England. In the video footage Majeed reveals that four other players worked
with him.
The video footage attained by Geo TV is believed to be old, in fact at the time
of sting operation conducted by News of the World in August. The video footage
is recorded in Majeed's house, with the undercover reporter asking him about the
latest 'developments'. Majeed's responds to reporter's question by telling him
that he has seven out of 11 players involved, and goes on to disclose their names: Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamir, Mohammad Asif, Wahab Riaz, Kamran Akmal, Umar
Akmal and Imran Farhat.
Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif had been suspended by ICC
shortly after such videos were released in August. However Kamran Akmal's name
was questioned by Scotland Yard and was later served a legal notice by ICC. However,
last week ICC cleared Kamran Akmal for selection but he was dropped from the side
for the tour of South Africa and New Zealand, due to his form. Wahab Riaz was
briefly interrogated by Scotland but was released and has been a part of Pakistan
team since. Previously there had been no indications of Umar Akmal or Imran Farhar
being involved in spot fixing.
The video footage has not quite shocked the Pakistan and international media,
with ICC and local media in Pakistan not taking a great deal of interest in it.
But that can be the calm before the storm.
According to some reliable sources in world cricket, this is the same video that
was shown to Mohammad Aamir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt by ICC as evidence
to establish their involvement in the heinous crime.
The video footage is an interesting one; Mazhar Majeed explains his 'tricks of
the trade' to the undercover reporter. He tells his that he has involved players
which are young and will be a part of Pakistan teams for some time to come. He
says that aging players like Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Younis Khan and Saeed
Ajmal don't interest him as they have only a short playing time left.
ICC had asked the lawyers of players to return evidence provided to them as it
was being leaked to media. The same news channel aired the alleged SMS conversation
between Majeed and Butt. From where has this video surfaced, can't be said as
yet.
So far no action has been taking by ICC or PCB, next couple of days can be crucial.
PCB has named squad for the tour to New Zealand. Wahab Riaz and Umar Akmal
are part of that squad and it stays that way even after the video was revealed.
PCB has said that axing of Kamran Akmal and Imran Farhat are purely because of
look of form.
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