Lavish cars, millions of rupees: Aaqib Javed opens up on match-fixing

Former Pakistan pacer Aaqib Javed has once again opened up on the scourge of match-fixing, which has haunted the country’s cricket over the years.  

According to a local news channel, Javed has claimed that players were offered lavish cars and millions of rupees in return for fixing matches.

“Lavish cars and millions of rupees were handed over to a cricketer,” claimed Javed. “I was also asked to fix matches and was told that if I did not comply, my career would be finished.”

“Players were approached with match-fixing offers through a former cricketer named Saleem Pervez,” Javed said about Pervez, who played his only ODI against West Indies in 1980 and passed away in April 2013.  

Earlier, the Lahore Qalandars’ Head Coach, Javed, had revealed that his strong stance on match-fixing had a major bearing on shortening his international career — while speaking to Cricket Pakistan in an exclusive interview.

“When I came to know about fixing, I took a strong stance and stood by it. I don’t regret the fact that it shortened my career as I strongly believe in my values,” he said. “People tried to sideline me from tours because of my stance and would also reprimand those people who would talk to me.”

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He also criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for paving the path of tainted players’ return to cricket.

“These things [letting players return] encourage those who have been involved with match-fixing,” he said. “Those who blow the whistle against match-fixers hurt their own careers.”

It must be noted that Javed was part of the Pakistan team which won the 1992 World Cup, under the captaincy of legendary all-rounder, and current prime minister, Imran Khan.