Video Recording of PCB's Inquiry Committee Proceedings Leaked - - Vicious Circle of Match-fixing Now Hurting Kamran Akmal

Pakistan cricket is facing a fresh controversy after the video recording of recent PCB inquiry committee proceedings were leaked, displaying visuals of Intikhab Alam and Aaqib Javed suspecting wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal’s involvement in match-fixing on the Australia tour.

A TV channel aired the video recordings of the statements made by officials and players in February-March and what came out was infighting and lack of unity in the team. Intikhab and Aaqib, who were coaches during that disastrous tour, are seen telling committee members they wanted to send back Shoaib Malik from New Zealand because of his negative personality but did not on the insistence of captain Mohammed Yousuf.

Asked about the performance of wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal in the second Test in Sydney where he dropped four catches and missed a run out, Aaqib is heard saying there was something fishy. “I have reservations over the way he (Kamran) missed the run out. When I saw it I couldn’t believe it. How he could miss such a big run out. I can’t say 100 per cent there is match-fixing involved but I have my strong suspicion,” Aaqib says.

Aaqib, a former Test pacer, who was removed after the tour, also expressed suspicions about the performance of fast bowler Rana Naved in a T20 match in Australia. “We have heard things about him as well.”

Aaqib is heard telling the committee that Younis Khan faced problems because he did not encourage players when they performed well and remained aloof. He also talks about how Shoaib Malik told him about a meeting held at Inzamam-ul-Haq’s residence by some players including Yousuf, Afridi, Malik, Kamran, Saeed Ajmal and Misbah-ul-Haq, where they took an oath that they would stick together and not tolerate injustice from Younis Khan.

Intikhab Alam is also seen voicing his suspicions about Akmal. “Kamran is a match-winner but every time we came close to victory he played a bad shot and got out. I told him he is not doing justice to himself,” Intikhab is heard saying.

“I was flabbergasted when Kamran missed the run out. I have serious doubts about him. I have heard stories about match-fixing. Even if we give him the benefit of doubt, it is unbelievable how he could miss the run out,” Intikhab says.

Interestingly, when Muhammad Yousuf was asked about the run out he said, “Some things are obviously clear, what shall I say.” He also expresses similar reservations about Rana Naved.

Intikhab and Aaqib also told committee members they were sure Umar Akmal had faked his back injury after the Sydney Test when he learnt his brother Kamran was not going to play in the third Test.

Intikhab is also critical of the players behaviour and says, “These players lack a lot of things. Education, background and at times I felt they were mentally retarded people. They do not understand the repercussions when they play badly and they don’t listen to what you tell them; problem lies in their heads, they don’t understand.”

When Wazir Ali Khoja, a committee member, says it was time for bad elements to be removed, Intikhab is positive about Younis. “He is not a trouble maker; he has personality problems and remains aloof,” Intikhab says.