Match-fixing disgrace for Pakistan

London

England crushed Pakistan by an innings and 225 runs to win the fourth and final Test at Lord’s on Sunday with more than a day to spare.

Victory, wrapped up before lunch on the fourth day, gave England the series, their last before they defend the Ashes in Australia in November, 3-1.

But Pakistan’s heaviest defeat in Test cricket, surpassing their innings and 198-run loss to Australia at Sharjah in 2002, was overshadowed by allegations they had been involved in a betting scam at Lord’s.

Britain’s News of the World newspaper claimed it gave 150,000 pounds (230,000 dollars, 185,000 euros) to a middle man in return for details about three “no balls” which later were bowled in the match exactly when he had predicted.

The report alleged two Pakistan bowlers, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif, delivered the three blatant no-balls at points in the match agreed with the alleged fixer.

Unusually, the post match presentation ceremony was moved indoors from the outfield to the Long Room of the Lord’s pavilion.

During the ceremony, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Giles Clarke refused to look Aamer in the eye when presenting him with Pakistan’s man of the series award.

Pakistan collapsed for the second time in the match. Resuming on an overnight score of 41 for four, and following on after being dismissed for 74 in their first innings, Pakistan were bowled out for 147. (AFP)