Yasir Hameed played two Test matches for Pakistan during the series against in the summer of 2010. —AP Photo
Yasir Hameed played two Test matches for Pakistan during the series against in the summer of 2010. —AP Photo

KARACHI: Former Pakistan opener Yasir Hameed said on Friday he had apologised to cricket authorities over an interview with a British tabloid in which he accused fellow players of fixing matches.

“I was trapped into it but I should not have said all that before a stranger and I apologise to all the players who were hurt because of that,” Hameed told AFP.

Hameed was secretly filmed telling undercover reporters from the News of the World in September that his fellow players fix matches with impunity.

“They were doing it (fixing) in almost every match,” Yasir said. “God knows what they were up to.

“Scotland Yard was after them for ages. It makes me angry because I’m playing my best and they are trying to lose.”

The conversation was broadcast two days after three Pakistani players – Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir – were suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on charges of spot-fixing during the team’s Lord’s Test against England in August.

The trio will find out at the ICC’s anti-corruption tribunal in Doha, Qatar, from January 6-11 whether the suspensions are to be turned into bans or they are absolved.

Hameed initially denied he had given any interview but admitted he was trapped by an undercover reporter who was in the guise of an airline representative who wanted him and other players to sign up to a commercial.

Hameed, 32, has not been picked since the scandal erupted.

“I have been doing well in the domestic matches and still hope that I will be selected in the team for the future series,” he said.

Opinion

Editorial

Poll petitions’ delay
Updated 06 Jan, 2025

Poll petitions’ delay

THOUGH electoral transparency and justice are essential for the health of any democracy, the relevant quarters in...
Migration racket
06 Jan, 2025

Migration racket

A KEY part of dismantling human smuggling and illegal migration rackets in the country — along with busting the...
Power planning
06 Jan, 2025

Power planning

THE National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, the power sector regulator, has rightly blamed poor planning for...
Confused state
Updated 05 Jan, 2025

Confused state

WHEN it comes to combatting violent terrorism, the state’s efforts seem to be suffering from a lack of focus. The...
Born into hunger
05 Jan, 2025

Born into hunger

OVER 18.2 million children — 35 every minute — were born into hunger in 2024, with Pakistan accounting for 1.4m...
Tourism triumph
05 Jan, 2025

Tourism triumph

THE inclusion of Gilgit-Baltistan in CNN’s list of top 25 destinations to visit in 2025 is a proud moment for...