PEC clears Pakistani players of match-fixing in World Cup

Islamabad, Apr 21 (UNI) All the players of the Pakistan World Cup squad has been cleared of match-fixing by Performance Evaluation Committee set up to inquire into the team's shock exit from ongoing showpiece event in West Indies.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ordered the inquiry after the 1992 champions were dumped out of the competition, losing to debutants Ireland in the first round, sparking allegations that games could have been rigged.

''The inquiry has been completed and there is no evidence of match-fixing against any player,'' inquiry committee chief Ijaz Butt said.

He said details of the committees report would be submitted to PCB Chief Dr Nasim Ashraf next week.

The PEC interviewed nearly 40 players, officials and retired PCB functionaries during its two-week hearing.

The fixing allegations intensified in the wake of he murder of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer hours after the defeat to Ireland.

Butt also rejected a claim by former PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan, who said ''spot-fixing'' existed on a regular basis in international cricket matches.

''There is no evidence of any targetted match-fixing and Saharyars statement was found to be incorrect,'' Butt said.

After losing the inaugural match to West Indies by 54 runs, Pakistan crashed to humiliating three-wicket defeat at the hands of minnows Ireland on March 17, which ended their World Cup campaign.

Pakistan media manager Pervez Mir also came in for heavy criticism from Butt for accusing the team of focusing on 'religion' instead of concentrating on the game.

''It was a stupid statement from P J Mir,'' Butt told reporters after the hearing in Islamabad.

''If a player wants to offer prayers in a mosque and wants to give some donation for a good cause, it does not mean his attention is diverted from cricket,'' he said.

UNI