Mon Sep 30 05:15:52 UTC 2024: ## Pakistan’s 90s Cricket Team Faced Immense Pressure Due to Match-Fixing Suspicions: Mudassar Nazar
Former Pakistan opener Mudassar Nazar revealed that the 1990s Pakistan cricket team, despite being immensely talented, faced immense pressure due to persistent match-fixing accusations. The pressure, according to Nazar, stemmed from the perception that every loss, especially against India, was a result of foul play. This pressure, he believes, led to a “fear factor” among the players.
Nazar, who played for Pakistan between 1976 and 1989, stated that the team was as talented as the dominant Australian team of the 90s, but the constant suspicion of match-fixing made them apprehensive about losing. He highlighted the intense rivalry between Pakistan and India, where a loss against the arch-rivals amplified the pressure and suspicion surrounding the game.
The pressure intensified due to the deep-seated belief among the public that losses were not due to poor performance but rather deliberate match-fixing. This perception, Nazar believes, had a detrimental effect on the Pakistan team’s performance.
The interview was part of the centenary episode of Cricket Predicta, a prominent cricket stats-based show in Asia, where Nazar spoke with fellow Pakistan legends Zaheer Abbas and former coach Dav Whatmore.
Following the match-fixing allegations in the mid-90s, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) formed a judicial commission led by Justice Malik Qayyum to investigate the claims. The commission, after an 18-month inquiry, recommended a lifetime ban for former captain Salim Malik for match-fixing and pacer Ata-ur-Rehman for perjury. Several other players were fined for not cooperating with the investigation.
First Piper 