Fixing case is ‘warning’ for small teams, says Hong Kong boss

Published January 12, 2016
This file photo taken on July 25, 2015 shows Irfan Ahmed bowling during the ICC World T20 Qualifer between Scotland and Hong Kong at the Malahide Cricket Club, north of Dublin. — AFP
This file photo taken on July 25, 2015 shows Irfan Ahmed bowling during the ICC World T20 Qualifer between Scotland and Hong Kong at the Malahide Cricket Club, north of Dublin. — AFP

HONG KONG: An alleged fixing approach to Hong Kong's Irfan Ahmed is a “warning” for other emerging teams, the territory's cricket chief said Tuesday.

Tim Cutler, chief executive of the Hong Kong Cricket Association, said that associate, or non-Test playing, members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) were particularly vulnerable to match-fixers.

He was speaking after all-rounder Ahmed, 26, a former Hong Kong player of the year, was charged and provisionally suspended by the ICC for failing to report an alleged fixing offer.

Ahmed, who was slated for Hong Kong's squad for the World T20 championship in India in March, faces a ban of between two and five years if found guilty.

Cutler said associate cricket nations, which cannot pay their players as well as Test sides, were particularly susceptible to bribery and the “underbelly of the dark chapter of cricket”.

“Any player in associate cricket is [vulnerable] only because of the disparity between, from the money point of view, what can be offered by an unscrupulous agent of a bookie or beyond versus what the top-tier players are earning,” he said.

Cutler added: “Three years ago these guys were genuine amateurs, only ever paid allowances and reimbursed travel costs to go and compete for Hong Kong.

“It's a warning to all up-and-coming cricketers and emerging cricket nations ... it's really a threat to the soul of our sport.”

The charge under the ICC's anti-corruption code is the latest to arise from wide-reaching investigations into illegal bookmaking networks by the world body's anti-corruption unit.

According to Australia's Fairfax Media, Ahmed was approached by former Pakistani cricketer Nasem Gulzar, one of the alleged match-fixers accused of paying former New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent to deliberately underperform in county matches in England.

Kevin Egan, Ahmed's Hong Kong-based barrister, downplayed the charge against the cricketer, who has featured in six ODIs and eight T20 internationals.

“[Gulzar] was like a father figure to him and [Ahmed] was approached with a corrupt offer which he rejected. But the only criminality alleged against him by the ICC was simply having failed to report that approach,” Egan was quoted as saying.

“At the moment we're in negotiations with the ICC and those negotiations have not yet concluded. I expect that within the next couple of weeks we will have come to a conclusion.”

Opinion

Editorial

First steps
Updated 29 May, 2024

First steps

One hopes that this small change will pave the way for bigger things.
Rafah inferno
29 May, 2024

Rafah inferno

THE level of barbarity witnessed in Sunday’s Israeli air strike targeting a refugee camp in Rafah is shocking even...
On a whim
29 May, 2024

On a whim

THE sudden declaration of May 28 as a public holiday to observe Youm-i-Takbeer — the anniversary of Pakistan’s...
Afghan puzzle
Updated 28 May, 2024

Afghan puzzle

Unless these elements are neutralised, it will not be possible to have the upper hand over terrorist groups.
Attacking minorities
28 May, 2024

Attacking minorities

Mobs turn into executioners due to the authorities’ helplessness before these elements.
Persistent scourge
28 May, 2024

Persistent scourge

THE challenge of polio in Pakistan has reached a new nadir, drawing grave concerns from the Technical Advisory Group...