Latif claims 1996 Lord's Test was fixed

LONDON, JULY 9. Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has said the 1996 Lord's Test between England and Pakistan was fixed and that he had been offered a huge amount to get out cheaply in that match, according to a report in the Sunday Telegraph on Sunday.

Rashid said that a bookmaker had called him in his hotel room after the first day's play and offered him a sum of œ15,000 if he got out cheaply but he rejected the offer straighaway.

Pakistan had scored 290 for nine at the end of the first day, with Rashid Latif seven not out and fast bowler, Ataur Rehman yet to open account. ``He (bookmaker) called me at my hotel room and said if you are out before 300 runs we are giving you œ15,000'', Latif told the newspaper while in London last week. ``He did not give his name but I could tell he was an Indian - the Indian accent is slightly different from that of a Pakistani,'' he said.

Latif claimed he rejected the offer straightaway and informed the matter to the team manager Yawar Saeed. The manager advised him to play his own game. On the second morning, Latif batted on to reach 45 and take Pakistan's total to 340. England conceded a first innings lead when it was dismissed for 285 and lost by 164 runs.

Latif, who went on to play 22 Tests, was made captain on the grounds of his undisputed integrity.

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Section  : Sport
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