`Bacher two-faced' -- Imran

`Bacher two-faced' -- Imran
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

KARACHI, JUNE 20: Legendary Pakistani paceman and former captain Imran Khan on Tuesday lashed out at South African cricket chief Ali Bacher over his sensational match-fixing allegations. He said Bacher should be expelled from the International Cricket Council and sued for "millions of dollars" for making false allegations based on "heresay."

"Bacher is a two-faced man and I have no faith in his credibility. Bacher is vindictive towards Pakistan and India," Khan said. "It's all hearsay. India have taken a strong note and Pakistan should not let Bacher go freely," said the 47-year-old Imran who now heads a political party in Pakistan.

Indian cricket officials have formally protested to the ICC over Bacher's allegations of match-fixing during India's win over Pakistan in last year's World Cup. Bacher told the King Commission in South Africa last week that he had heard from former Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Executive Majid Khan, Imran's cousin, that two matches involving Pakistan at the World Cup were rigged. He also recounted a conversation with a bookmaker who told him that former Pakistani umpire Javed Akhtar had taken money to influence a Test between England and South Africa.

"I watched the match between Pakistan and India in the World Cup and only a fool can say that the match was fixed," Imran said. "Bacher is the first official to pass a damning judgement against an ICC umpire and from now on people will question umpires' credibility," he said. "If Javed Akhtar is sensible he can earn millions of dollars by sueing Bacher."

Imran said the ICC must take Bacher to task in its annual meeting in London on Thursday. It should also investigate the ICC's alleged knowledge of the Australian Cricket Board's cover-up of its decision to fine Shane Warne and Mark Waugh for providing pitch and weather information to an Indian bookie in 1994.

Imran said former South African captain Hansie Cronje's testimony that he had accepted money to fix matches and discussed offers with the team was an "indictment of South African cricket. Cronje's confession is said but what has come across is that Cronje withheld facts. He lied and no matter how sorry one feels about him he has to be punished," he said.

"The most tarnishing thing is how a team sat down and listened to a proposal of $250,000 and considered it. I consider this itself is an indictment of South African cricket."