FORMER Test umpire Darrell Hair has revealed cricket’s anti-corruption police issued a global alert a decade ago over fears Pakistan was bowling deliberate no-balls. Pakistan fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were caught in a sting by the News of The World after appearing to bowl deliberate no-balls in the fourth Test against England at Lord’s.
The newspaper took video footage of their agent Mazhar Majeed accepting money on their behalf for the no-balls.
“It didn’t shock me at all,” Hair said last night.
“When the ICC’s anti-corruption unit was formed they spoke to all the leading umpires and said there were concerns in tournaments in places like Sharjah that the Pakistanis were bowling (deliberate) no balls and wides.
“They also mentioned the possibility of strange dismissals. But they have not been able to get any proof.”
Hair was ostracised from cricket for several years after he reported Pakistan for ball-tampering at The Oval in 2006.
In a further twist, another newspaper has reported Australian cricketers Shane Watson and Brad Haddin were approached by a suspected Mumbai gangster with links to illegal bookmakers last year. Both players immediately reported the approaches during the tour of England to authorities.
Majeed said the team’s cheating included ball-tampering. “I used to go out on the pitch to give the players drinks,” he said.
“Whenever we couldn’t get a wicket I’d have a lump of Vaseline on my hand. They’d put it on one side of the ball and the ball would start swinging.”
Former International Cricket Council chief Malcolm Speed said there was strong grounds to have Pakistan suspended from the game.
“It looks as though it is endemic that several of the team members are involved,” Speed told ABC radio. “So perhaps they need a rest. It looks a fairly compelling case.”
ICC president Sharad Pawar yesterday ruled out any action against the Pakistan players until investigations by police are completed.
In other news, a Pakistani lawyer has filed treason charges against players being investigated for manipulating matches for money in England. (Herald sun.com)