KARACHI: Former captain Rashid Latif lambasted the ‘lethargic’ attitude of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the fresh match-fixing allegations levelled by former Test cricketer Basit Ali the other day and said the Board should thoroughly probe the incident.

“The PCB never paid heed to such concerns in the past which has severely damaged Pakistan cricket’s reputation over the years,” he said on Thursday. “The anti-corruption unit is absolutely ineffective and have not checked any wrongdoing despite being warned several times. They are only interested in pocketing their TA/DA which is extremely disappointing.”

Rashid, one of the main whistle-blowers of the infamous match-fixing scandals during the 1990s, alleged that there was something ‘fishy’ about the domestic Twenty20 match between Sialkot Stallions and Karachi Dolphins and the PCB should launch a probe into it.

“Basit has made some serious allegations about the match which should be looked into,” said Rashid. “He (Basit) is an experienced individual and his observation can’t be brushed aside. Only statements from the PCB will not serve the purpose and an independent inquiry committee consisting of former players should probe the matter,” he added.

Rashid also criticised the ‘engineered’ environment outside the stadium and termed it as an effort to mislead the PCB chairman. “Such malpractices could not be done without the support of regional officials. The PCB should be aware of these opportunists,” concluded Rashid.—Agencies