 Yasir Hameed was accused by the British tabloid News of the World of accusing his fellow Pakistani players of match-fixing. The video which was recorded by
the newspaper had shown him speak about Yasir Hameed saying that the Sydney
Test match was fixed for 1.8 million pounds and that he thought that he was out
of the team because he had rejected the offer of match-fixing.
However, when the video was released, the Pakistani batsman spent four hours
with the Pakistani high commission and then issued a statement. Earlier, Hameed
had denied that he was in the video, but later said that he was sitting with
his friend when a stranger approached him, and said that he was a representative
of the Etihad Airlines and had got him a sponsorship deal.
Hameed added that the deal was worth 50,000 pounds and the guy who approached
him had introduced himself as Abid Khan. Abid also said that he wanted
four more players for the sponsorship deal, for which Hameed named Umar Gul,
Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi and Fawad Alam. Hameed added that he had even
called up Gul regarding the matter and they had agreed that Hameed will continue
negotiating.
Hameed has also claimed that the deal was for stickers on the bat and the TV
and billboard advertisements. He said that given that the two had become friends,
they got talking, which the reporter started recording. After that, Abid called
up Hameed and said that he will pay Hameed £25,000 if Hameed gave a statement
against the three cricketers, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad
Amir.
Hameed refused to do so and never answered any called from him. He also added
that the News of the World reporter SMSed him a day before releasing the video,
and said, "Pls call me. Incidentally you are in video drinking wine and
saying all the quotes attributed to you. Denying it is just stupid as we will
be releasing the video to tv. Better that you stand up and speak the truth!!!!."
Hameed said that he decided not to react to the claims and contacted the PCB
in the matter.
When quizzed about this, Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi said that Hameed
was immatured and everybody in the cricket team knew about that. Hameed was
a part of the Test team that played against England but does not feature in
the limited overs side.
|
