Former Pakistan fast bowler Sikander Bakht accuses Dean Jones of match fixing

Dean Jones and Sikander Bakht get involved in a surprise controversy

A previously unheard controversy was given rise to by former Pakistan fast bowler Sikander Bakht in his interview with Geo TV, where he alleged that former Australian Dean Jones had been forced to retire early from the sport because he had been involved in match fixing.

Jones has been recently appointed head coach of the Islamabad team in the Pakistan Super League, but the nature of the allegations brought against him by a one-time rival may have grave consequences.

Bakht said that Jones had been a disreputable character in his playing days, and that Cricket Australia had forced him to leave prematurely because they knew of his match fixing activities.

Bakht played in 26 Tests and 27 ODIs for Pakistan from 1976 to 1989. Dean Jones’ international career lasted from 1984 to 1994.

Dean Jones had once been fired from commentary duties for referring to Hashim Amla as a ‘terrorist’, but the controversy that Bakht’s accusations could dig up would be of a whole different scale.

Look forward to picking fantastic players for Islamabad: Jones

Bakht also criticised how tainted bowler Mohammad Amir was being allowed to return to the fold of international cricket, and has complained about Amir’s reported featuring in the PSL as well.

Jones’ signing for Islamabad United came hours after Peshawar became the first PSL franchise to launch its logo and team name. “I’ve just signed as the head coach for the Islamabad United team and I look forward to seeing the draft and picking some fantastic players for our team,” Jones, said in a video message.

The tournament is set to commence on February 4, and to culminate on February 23 with the final.

A total of 24 matches will be played between 5 teams, with each team playing all the others twice, followed by three playoffs and the final. The teams participating in the tournament are Karachi Kings, Quetta Gladiators, Lahore Qalanders, Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi.

The tournament will be hosted by the UAE with matches being played in Dubai and Sharjah. The league would be played in a round-robin manner with the top four teams qualifying for the playoffs.