Sharjah orders match-fixing probe

Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd will lead a three-man panel to investigate match-fixing and betting allegations against the organisers of international cricket in Sharjah.

The probe has been ordered by Abdulrahman Bukhatir, chairman of the Cricketers Benefit Fund Series, after reports that some matches were fixed in Sharjah.

"The idea is to clear the name of Sharjah," Bukhatir said.

"Allegations have been made against us and even India's federal investigating agency - Central Bureau of Investigation - has named Sharjah in their report," he said.

"We know we are clean. We want to set the record straight and that's why we want an independent panel to look into the charges," said Bukhatir.

He said the panel will include a former officer of the Sharjah police and a legal expert from Britain.

Bukhatir said the panel would complete the inquiry in two months' time.

"We are determined to supplement the ICC and other cricket boards' efforts aimed at cleaning the image of the game."

Former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India Inderjit Singh Bindra has made allegations about matches in Sharjah.

"We would like all those who have been making allegations against Sharjah to establish their charges with proof," Bukhatir said.

"The inquiry is not aimed at anyone. Like everyone else we are also curious to know how this virus of match-fixing spread into cricket," he added.

Mail Cricket Editor