Spot fixing convict Mohammad Asif, reveals insight on 'bookie culture'

Right-arm pacer Mohammad Asif last played for his national side Pakistan in 2010 after he was caught in the spot-fixing scandal. Asif looked promising ever since his foray into international cricket, but his career was put to an untimely halt with the misfortunate event. Asif, alongside captain Salman Butt and fellow pacer Mohammad Amir, received bans up to 10 years.

Now the 34-year-old has come out to speak against match-fixing in an attempt to save other youngsters from a similar fate. Asif revealed a lot of insight into the ‘bookie-culture’. He revealed that a bookie first develops a relationship with the player, which requires a number of years. The fast bowler also informed that there is a ‘bookie mafia,’ which is based in India but it has spread its roots elsewhere, including Pakistan.

Speaking to media Asif said, “If need be I can come and lecture youngsters against dangers of corruption. I wasn’t involved for 2 years in my case, but the bookie (Majeed) was involved with Butt for the past 2 years.”

“There is a mafia of these bookies and they are spread all over the world. The bookie mafia is based in India which is common knowledge. But it’s spread to Pakistan as well, so this is not confined to India anymore,” he added.

Asif was found guilty of underperforming in exchange for money

Rewinding time to 7 years back, a number of no-balls bowled during the fourth Test match between England and Pakistan in 2010 at the hallowed turf of Lord’s, threw open a can of worms, which sadly, changed the way our favourite sport has been viewed ever since.

Three Pakistan international cricketers, Butt, Asif and Amir were caught accepting a few thousand pounds to underperform. The international cricketers were convicted of taking bribes from a bookmaker Mazhar Majeed. In response to these allegations, Scotland Yard arrested Majeed on the charge of match-fixing and the ICC banned the three cricketers for terms of 5 and 10 years.