Top Indian cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh yesterday rubbished the reported claims of a London-based bookie Mazhar Majeed that he had “access” to them, saying that they had never even met him.
Majeed made the claims during his conversations with the now-closed ‘New of the World’ undercover reporter Mazhar Mehmood, who conducted a sting operation on the alleged bookie and players’ agent. The recording of the conversation were played to a jury and the judge during the criminal trials of Pakistani cricketers, accused of spot-fixing. While Harbhajan threatened action, Yuvraj simply ridiculed the report of his name cropping up during the trial. “I don’t know who this person is, I have never met him. We will definitely take some action against him. I don’t know whether it will be a legal action or whatever,” said Harbhajan in Nagpur where he is currently playing in the Challenger Series. “But I will definitely bring it to BCCI’s notice and I am sure that they will take the right kind of action against these kind people who are trying to spoil the game,” added the feisty off-spinner.
Yuvraj took to Twitter to rubbish the report. “…And who is majid!! absolute rubbish! Don’t no never met!” he wrote. “The problem in india is if some one says a rooster has given an egg it will become news !! Whether its true or not its doesn’t matter,” he fumed. According to media reports, Majeed named these two Indian cricketers along with a host of other international players, who have also rejected the reported claims. The name-droppings took place during the fourth day of the trial of former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and pacer Mohammad Asif, who are alleged to have bowled predetermined no balls for cash. Both the players have denied the charges.
The BCCI also rubbished the claims, saying that Majeed has a very little credibility. “We do not react to such claims by a person whose credibility is questionable,” said a top BCCI official. (PTI)