Cup without match fixing impossible, says Sarfraz

Former Pakistan pacer Sarfraz Nawaz said today a gambling and match fixing mafia is active ahead of next month’s World Cup in Southern Africa and a clean event was not possible. ‘‘The gambling mafia is active and World Cup cannot beheld without match fixing,’’ Nawaz, who played 55 Tests and 45 one-day internationals for Pakistan said.

The ICC last month claimed cricket’s quadrennial event, due to be staged in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya from February 8 until March 23, will be corruption free. The ICC was forced to form an anti-corruption unit (ACU) in 2000 headed by former London police Chief Sir

Paul Condon after late South African captain Hansie Cronje confessed to taking $ 130,000 to influence results of international matches.

Nawaz testified before two fixing inquiries in Pakistan and alleged Pakistani and leading international players of involvement in match fixing, but could not substantiate his allegations.

The former pacer, who also played for Northamptonshire county in England in the 70s, tipped South Africa to lift the Cup. He criticised Pakistani selectors for picking ‘‘ageing horses’’ in their Cup squad.