Thaindian News

Melbourne, May 21 (IANS) Kamran Akmal, who is under scanner for allegations of match-fixing, has received the support of coach Waqar Younis who said he would have no problem selecting the wicket-keeper in the Pakistan team.
In a leaked video of the inquiry committee on Pakistan’s disastrous tour to Australia, the then coach Intikhab Alam and manager Aaquib Javed said they thought bookmakers might have been involved in the events, and questioned Kamran’s commitment.

The Test match at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) saw Ricky Ponting’s side pull off a remarkable come-from-behind victory. Kamran dropped four catches in the third innings and missed a run out chance of Shane Watson when the opener was on 49. Watson went on to make 97. He dropped Michael Hussey three times as the middle-order batsman compiled 134.

Waqar, who has since replaced Intikhab Alam as head coach, told The Age he did not share Intikhab’s suspicions.

“If you don’t have any proof, you should just keep quiet,” Waqar said. “I won’t have a problem selecting Kamran, I think he was one of our better performers in the World Twenty20. There are some very ugly agendas and people trying to benefit here.”

A day later, video footage of a PCB meeting was leaked to the media and it showed players and former officials raising suspicions about match-fixing during the Australia tour. The video of their evidence was leaked to Pakistan television Wednesday.

Aaqib also had suspicions about the performance of fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan in a Twenty20 match in Australia.