MOHALI — Pakistan’s interior minister says he is keeping a “close watch” on the country’s cricket team following the recent spot-fixing scandal.
Two days before Pakistan’s World Cup semifinal clash with archrival India, Rehman Malik was quoted on Indian television saying he was “sure the team has very clean members” but couldn’t take any risks.
Pakistan players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir received long-term bans last month after being found guilty of accepting bribes in return for making sure no-balls were bowled at certain times during a test match in England last August.
Pace bowler Umar Gul said Monday he had not heard Malik’s comments and that the Pakistan team “have not been following what is being said in the media.”