Imran Khan - “We don’t know (the truth) really at the moment and hope they are not true otherwise there will be lot of repercussions - very damaging to the Pakistan cricket. It’s very difficult and sad time for Pakistan cricket because these developments are very demoralising.”
Kapil Dev - “None of us want the game in Pakistan to be finished, as this is one country that has produced some of the finest cricketers. I do feel sorry for Pakistani cricketers and Pakistan cricket. But at the same time, the alleged ones should be severely punished if proved guilty.”
Sachin Tendulkar - “ICC should make a thorough probe in whatever had happened in England and take appropriate action if the players are found guilty. If the allegations are true, they will certainly bring disrepute to the game. Integrity is extremely required to take the game forward and make it more globalised. It is important to have a clean image so that cricket heads in the right direction.”
Ricky Ponting - “It looks like there could be a bit more to these allegations than what I know about. The sooner they do that and the sooner we get to the bottom of all these allegations and the negativity around cricket at the moment, the better,”
Michael Vaughan - “The game has to be cleaned up. This is the chance to change the game forever and stamp this kind of thing out. Finally, the game’s administrators cannot run and hide. The only way the game will move forward is by hitting those involved with life bans if they are found guilty.”
Shane Warne- “If it is true and they have been found (guilty of) match-fixing and throwing games and spot betting with the no-balls and stuff, if that’s the case they should be thrown out. It’s as simple as that. I don’t think there should be any other way to do it. If it’s fixed by players, they should be banned for life. Anyone who’s involved should be thrown out,”
Michael Atherton - “It is worse than doping, because the fixer is deliberately trying to underperform, so deceiving the paying public.”
Mohd Azharuddin - “Right now these are just allegations. The investigation is on and nothing has been proved (against Pakistani players) as yet. Anyone can say anything but at the end of the day law will take its time. It’s for the board (PCB) and International Cricket Council to decide.”
Geoffrey Boycott - “It is no coincidence that Pakistan is repeatedly implicated in these scandals because it never deals with them properly. People might get suspended or banished from the team, but within a few months the regime changes, and they are back again, as if nothing happened.”
Mark Taylor - “If they have one person, two people, three people involved in match-fixing or fixing certain deliveries … to throw the whole nation? No, I’m not for that. I think all you can do is penalize the individuals and embark on an education process and hopefully stop people from doing this sort of thing, but I think throwing the nation out of world cricket I don’t think is right,”
Shahid Afridi - “I think this is a very bad news. On behalf of these boys - I know they are not in this series - I want to say sorry to all the cricket lovers and all the cricketing nations. I don’t think that trio should be part of the team or the dressing room. Keeping them out is for our best interest.”
Yasir Hameed - “I have now seen a photograph of the so called Abid Khan and have discovered that he is Mazhar Mahmood (NOTW’s undercover reporter).Naturally I was interested in what he had to say and we began a conversation. He offered me at least 50,000 pounds for the deal, which was for 6"x3” ETIHAD sticker at the back of the cricket bat plus TV and billboard advertisements in the UAE."
Rashid Latif - “The key is to design laws and rules that do not allow players and bookmakers to manipulate things. I told the ICC remove the fielding restrictions and they introduced the power-play which only encouraged fixing.”
Mohd Zahid - “I wasn’t surprised when the three names came out. The players want to make quick and big money. I think they will have instigated any dealings with a bookie. I don’t think the ICC should be at all lenient with the players, irrespective of age and experience. If any of the players have been involved in this wrongdoing, then they should get a life ban.”
Mathew Hayden - “I am surprised and a little shocked to see cricket and cricketers brought to attention in the media for the wrong reasons. We play a great game, and as players we are honoured to uphold its integrity as a product. The best solution is for each and every player and administrator to show great vigilance to defy corruption by making a choice to uphold integrity and choose sportsmanship over gambling.”
Harbhajan Singh - “I will slap any bookie who will come near me, big time. I have never been approached by a bookie and I have not also seen these things happen in my career. I never feel that anyone can do such things. As Imran Khan has said if these allegations are true there should be punishment to set an example so that it is not repeated. ICC and the (Pakistan) Cricket Board should take necessary steps.”
MS Dhoni - “It does not only restrict to the people who are doing it or the side they belong to. I think people start associating it with the whole fraternity which means all cricketers whichever team you are playing for, it doesn’t really matter. Definitely harsh decisions need to be taken.”
Haroon Lorgat - “We promise to be decisive. We got a week for due diligence. We have got to be very mindful of the interviews that are going on right now with the police. We needed to do all the evidence gathering and frame charges.”
S. Sreesanth - “If they are found guilty they should be punished as they are not only cheating the fans, they are cheating an entire nation. As far as my cricketing career is concerned, luckily nothing of this sought has happened and I have not seen any fixing.”
Dickie Bird - “If these allegations are found to be true and these players are found guilty then this game is in a serious mess. He’s only 18-years of age. The world would have been his oyster. He had everything going for him, he’d have made a lot of money out of commercials, TV, what-have-you and now that lad, if he’s found guilty, I’m afraid will be banned from the game.”
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