Intikhab finds support from former India captain
LAHORE, Oct 8 (UNI): Appalled by the allegations of a parliamentarian that Pakistan had deliberately thrown their matches against Australia and New Zealand in the Champions Trophy, former India Test captain Bishen Singh Bedi has lended his sympathetic support to coach Intikhab Alam.
Intikhab said he was deeply hurt and disappointed by the allegations, which were made without any concrete evidence.
"I'm deeply hurt, it's totally disappointing.
"Without any evidence these allegations are made and I think it's not patriotic," he added.
The national coach further informed that the allegtaions were so disgusting that even he received a telephone call from the former India captain yesterday, who was also disheartened by the accusations.
"Bedi told me, 'You have done so much for the Pakistan team and it's totally disappointing when such baseless allegations come up'," Intikhab was quoted as saying by 'The Dawn'.
Chairman of the Standing Committee on Sports in the Lower House of Parliament Jamshed Dasti had earlier alleged that Pakistan deliberately lost the match against Australia to prevent India from entering the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy.
Following the defeat, Pakistan then lost a semi-final match to New Zealand, who eventually lost the final by six wickets to Australia.
However, the politician took a u-turn later from his statements saying that he never accused the Pakistan team of match-fixing.
On the basis of Dasti's claims, the sports committee has summoned Intikhab, captain Younis Khan and Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt to a meeting on October 13 to clarify the allegations.
"So far I have not received the invitation, but I have absolutely no problems in appearing before the committee," the 67-year-old Intikhab said.
It can be recalled that Pakistan won the Twenty20 World Cup under Intikhab's guidance in June and qualified for the semifinals of the Champions Trophy, defeating arch rival India and West Indies in the group games before losing to Australia and New Zealand on a trot.
"We are the only team which (reached) the last four of the two mega events this year and it's a big achievement," the former Pakistan skipper added.
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