PCB chief denies allegations of bribing Zimbabwe players

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan has denied allegations that Zimbabwe cricketers were paid bribes to tour Pakistan. Reports allege that each of Zimbabwe's cricketers were paid $12500 each for the limited overs tour last month. The tour to Pakistan was the first by a Test team in six years after the unfortunate terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in 2009.

Zimbabwe played two T20Is and three ODIs in a short tour that was touted as a success by PCB given the large crowds that came in to watch each match in Lahore. However, Shaharyar Khan denied any underhand dealings to facilitate the tour.

"That is not true as the tour was approved by both boards and on Friday our Prime Minister sent a message of thanks to the Zimbabwe President, Robert Mugabe for allowing his team to tour Pakistan. In such a scenario, there is no question of bribing players," Khan was reported as saying after PTI quoted a source saying that the players had been bribed by the board.

Khan said on Friday that while it had paid around USD 500,000 to Zimbabwe Cricket to cover their expenses for the tour, it was unfortunate there had been talk about players being bribed to tour Pakistan. Zimbabwe's tour was seen as a success after extensive security measures taken by Pakistan and was undertaken by Zimbabwe only after they sent a delegation to inspect the facilities. International Cricket Council (ICC) however refused to provide officials for the tour but the series was allowed to continue with PCB appointing their own umpires and match referees.

"The response of the people was enough for us and vindicated our stance that international cricket needs to be revived in Pakistan," said Khan and added that Pakistan will be returning the favour soon. "The tour by Zimbabwe was an exception as we were keen to host an international and in return, we will tour there in August," he said.

While other countries have remained tight-lipped about touring Pakistan again, Sri Lanka Cricket's chief Sidath Wettimuny had witnessed the series first hand and had encouraging words to say about the return of cricket to Pakistan. Khan added that PCB were keen on convincing other countries to come and visit Pakistan in the future.

"We are making every effort to revive proper international cricket in Pakistan and we have approached other boards after the Zimbabwe team's visit to send their teams to our country as we capable of providing them the best security. The visit by Zimbabwe has given us confidence and we will build on the success of the tour. I am sure lot of perceptions about playing in Pakistan will have changed after this tour.

"The Zimbabwe players told us they had not received such a rousing welcome anywhere before in any country and the series was also played in a secure and stable environment. What more can we ask for?" He said.