Match-fixing allegations baseless: Alam by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	Intikhab Alam
Event:	ICC Champions Trophy 2009/10

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DateLine: 7th October 2009

 

The Pakistan cricket team even in midst of the match-fixing charges remained remained defiant and rubbished all allegations levelled on them for gifting away the match against Australia in the Champions Trophy.

 

While captain Younis Khan said that he can go on to quit captaincy, team coach Intikhab Alam lambasted the committee saying that these reports of match-fixing were baseless and are affecting the morale of the side.

 

"All this stuff about our team being involved in match-fixing started because of a report in some Indian newspapers and since then they have carried out a relentless campaign to defame us," Alam said.

 

"Maybe it is time we also reviewed our cricket relations with India and decided whether we really need to play them when they are hell bent on trying to damage us," said Alam, who had coached the Punjab Ranji team in India.

 

"The truth is that it is hard for the Indians to digest the fact that this year in two major tournaments their team, whom they tagged as favourites, was eliminated in the first round and our team not only won the Twenty20 World Cup but also reached the semifinal of the Champions Trophy," he said.

 

Alam also hit out at parlementarian Jamshed Dasti stating he should be very careful while giving statements on cricket matters.

 

"I am very upset with these reports. Without any kind of reason, proof or evidence you are leveling charges of match-fixing against the team, which is a huge thing. One team had to lose in that match and unfortunately it was our team. We have not done anything wrong and we are clean," he said