LAHORE: Basit Ali, the chairman of the national junior selection committee, has rejected the charge levelled on him by former Test fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz that he (Basit) confessed before Intikhab Alam that he had been involved in betting and match-fixing.

“I have neither been involved in such practice [fixing] nor have I confessed before Intikhab Alam. And if anyone can prove it, then hang me,” Basit told Dawn from Karachi, while rebutting the statement of Sarfraz, also published in Dawn on Friday.

Sarfraz has quoted the finding of retired Justice Ejaz Yousuf’s 1998 inquiry report, which remained inclusive.

“Furthermore, the same report quoted respected figure of Intikhab Alam as saying that now the junior selection committee headed by Basit Ali had confessed before him [Intikhab] that he had been involved in betting and match-fixing,” it was quoted by Sarfraz, he said, he wrote to the PCB about a month ago. Basit, however, contended this claim, saying he never made such a confession before Intikhab in the past.

Though admitting that there was a report made by Justice Ejaz, Basit said it did not carry the signature of the Justice and it was not even with the PCB.

Basit further said Intikhab had met him on several occasions but he (Intikhab) did not say a word about it.

Right-handed Basit, who played 19 Tests and 50 ODIs from 1993 until 1996, said he and former Test wicket-keeper Rashid Latif were the first cricketers, who in the past spoke out against betting and spot-fixing. “I am still living in a rented house,” Basit expressed, indirectly signalling had he been involved in fixing he would now be leading a luxurious life.

However, when Intikhab was contacted by Dawn to confirm if he had givensuch statement before Justice Ejaz, the former captain was reluctant to reply. Later, Intikhab said he, in order to avoid any controversy, did not want to comment on it.

But when pressed to give an exact reply, Intikhab, currently working as PCB director domestic operations, reckoned it was better to avoid comment.

It may be mentioned that Justice Ejaz report has many stunning disclosures about betting and match-fixing activities of certain Pakistan players. But he ended the work halfway, leaving the report inconclusive.

Published in Dawn January 24th , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play