Thaindian News

Karachi, Nov 5 (IANS) Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi Saturday claimed that he was approached by jailed bookmaker Mazhar Majeed several times but he distanced himself from the agent as he seemed like a “shady” character.

Majeed and Pakistani players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were given jail terms by a London court Thursday after being found guilty of spot-fixing during the team’s away series in England last year.

Afridi said he avoided Majeed whenever he tried to meet him.

“He always tried to contact me personally in the hotel and wanted time to meet me but I avoided him all the time because I had my suspicions that he was not trustworthy and involved in betting,” Afridi was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune.

Majeed, during his testimony in the court, had said that it was difficult to get Afridi involved in spot-fixing.

Afridi dismissed Majeed’s claims that Pakistani players were involved in spot-fixing during the time he was captain.

“I never felt that any player was doing something wrong and deliberately trying to let me down. I would have been the first man to throw them out and deal with it strongly,” said 31-year-old Afridi, who recently came out of self-imposed retirement.

Majeed was jailed for 32 month, while Butt, Asif and Aamer were sentenced for 30, 12 and six months, respectively.

Afridi said he especially felt sad for young fast bowler Aamer.

“He is a great talent and I believe because of his age he was trapped in this scandal,” said Afridi.