Pakistan legend Mushtaq Mohammad questions the need for fixing

Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and skipper Salman Butt all had their rooms searched by police on Saturday and their mobile phones confiscated as the allegations are being investigated by authorities.

Teenage fast bowling sensation Amir bowled a huge no-ball with the first ball of the third over of the fourth Test against England, which was exactly when a 'fixer' who has since been arrested said he would bowl a no-ball. Asif delivered the same in the tenth over. "These allegations have to be true," Mushtaq told MiD DAY. "I hope they are not, but I just cannot see how they would be false.

"I have watched the video on the news and followed this story and it is shocking. The no-balls are delivered when this guy said they would be."

Proud Pakistani Mushtaq, one of the sport's great innovators who brought cricket the reverse sweep in the 1960s, is sickened that the players implicated may have wasted potentially great careers.

If the investigation by police and cricket corruption officers discovers truths in the undercover operation by the News of the World newspaper, the players will face life bans. "If I saw them now I would ask them 'Why?'" Mushtaq said.

"The world is at their feet, there are so many great opportunities for cricketers now and I cannot understand why any player would get mixed up in this type of thing.
u00a0
"They are talented cricketers and there are so many doors that are going to open for them. Why do this? I am still searching for an answer. It's not the first time it's happened. These things have been going, where no-balls or wides are bowled to order. This has been said in the media before.

"It is just very sad when youngsters put their career in jeopardy like this."

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!