Pakistan’s former Test spinner Akram Raza was arrested along with his six accomplices in here on Saturday for betting on Indian Premier League matches. Akram Raza, 46, was fined by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) 11 years ago for his alleged involvement in match-fixing scandal after a judicial commission found his role in fixing. The off-spinner represented Pakistan in 49 One Day Internationals and nine Tests and recently he was standing as an umpire in the domestic matches. As per the Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum Report on match-fixing in 2000, Akram Raza was part of a group of players in the team led by Salim Malik who was losing cricket matches for money. The report was conducted on directives of the-then government after Australia cricketers Shane Warne, Mark Waugh, and Tim May alleged Salim Malik of offering them money during the 1995 tour to Pakistan. Salim Malik was banned for life on the basis of that report while fast bowler Ata-ur-Rehman was also stopped from getting involved in any cricket activity. The Lahore Police, on a tip-off, raided a shopping area in Gulberg where they arrested a gang of bookmakers who were involved in betting activities on IPL matches. It is interesting to note that ever since Zulqarnain Haider has returned from England, a campaign against fixers and bookies is getting steam as some days ago a group of bookies was arrested from Sialkot who had also threatened the runaway wicketkeeper during his stay in England. Police officials confirmed arresting seven bookies including Akram Raza and claimed they recovered cell phones, telephones, televisions, and a large amount of money as well as telephone numbers of bookies in India.
