Babar Azam and Pakistan team committed spot-fixing and match-fixing in T20 World Cup? PCB set to take massive step

The Pakistan Cricket Board has assured that they will take legal action against those who have alleged Babar Azam's side of match-fixing in the T20 World Cup 2024. 

This news about the Pakistani team committing spot-fixing throughout the ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, came to the fore last week. The wave of such rumors got heated up after Babar Azam and co. were knocked out of the showpiece T20 event which featured 20 teams for the very first time. 

Pakistan was expected to take one step forward in winning the T20 WC for the second time in their history after finishing as runners-up in 2022. Babar Azam had also captained the team to the semi-finals of the 2021 edition where they lost to eventual champions Australia. 

But Pakistan's performance in this World Cup was not even close to what they had displayed in the last two editions in UAE and Land Down Under. They first lost to co-hosts USA, who are an inexperienced side, on Super Overs and then squandered a wonderful opportunity to beat the Indian team in New York.

On both occasions, Babar Azam's side had got very close to winning the matches but they choked at the very wrong times. Against the USA, they could have won in the regulation game itself, and against India, they fell like a house of cards after Mohammad Rizwan's dismissal. 

These back-to-back losses prompted senior Journalists and some YouTubers to claim that Pakistan has committed spot-fixing. What intrigued this talk even more was how Babar Azam and Co. lost. While there is no proof or evidence to support the fixing charges, PCB has informed their legal to be ready to sue some people. 

What is the PCB's take on spot-fixing charges?  

Sources close to the PCB have informed us that the Mohsin Naqvi-led board is planning to take legal action against those making fixing allegations. The Chairman and other officials are fine with criticism as it is a part of the game and they have no objection to it as well but the spot-fixing charges are too malice. 

The source clearly said that such negative comments will not be tolerated by the board as they tarnish their image. "We are fully aware of these negative comments. Criticism within the bounds of the game is acceptable and there is no objection to it. However, baseless allegations like match-fixing cannot be tolerated under any circumstances." - a PCB source said. 

PCB to not initiate any investigation regarding fixing charges

When asked if the Pakistan Cricket Board is planning to initiate their investigation on the fixing charges, the source would deny it. The PCB has no doubts whatsoever about Babar Azam and his players and therefore there is a question about about an investigation. 

"PCB has no doubts, so why should we conduct an inquiry? Those who made the allegations should provide proof. We have instructed our legal department to issue notices to such individuals and demand evidence. If not provided, we will seek compensation for defamation." - the PCB source concluded.