Furious Pak Senators demand action against 'match fixing' players

Lahore, May 22 (ANI): Two angry Pakistan Senators on Saturday demanded that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) take immediate action against players involved in match-fixing, failing which, they warned that the PCB could be disbanded to save the sport.

"The present management has failed to take any action against players involved in match-fixing and they must be removed to save Pakistan cricket," the Dawn quoted Senator Haroon Akhtar as telling reporters at the national cricket academy here.

Akhtar specifically called for the removal of PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt.

"Butt is running the PCB as a one-man show and we appeal on President Asif (Ali) Zardari to remove him to save Pakistan cricket otherwise it will be destroyed by this management," he was quoted, as saying.

Butt, who took over in October 2008, has survived previous calls from senators and MPs for his dismissal as he has enjoyed the confidence of Zardari.

Senator Tariq Azeem said PCB should throw out match-fixers.

"We should not leave the matter to the ICC or anyone else. We should throw the tainted players ourselves," said Azeem.

Lawmakers have summoned Butt, former captain Younus Khan, former coach Intikhab Alam and former manager Abdul Raqeeb to discuss match fixing on Monday.

Their parliamentary committee is also planning to appoint a panel of judges to investigate the latest match-fixing allegations.

Pakistan lost all three Tests, five one-day and a Twenty20 match in Australia from December to February, but their defeat in January's Sydney Test has raised doubts about match fixing. (ANI)