New Zealand Cricket has issued an apology to the Pakistan team currently on tour there for the T20 series. The need for an apology surfaced after the announcer in the stadium played a cash-till sound right before Pakistan’s pacer Mohammad Amir began his over.
This was an attempt to taunt the 23-year old fast bowler who has just returned from a spot-fixing ban which was issued on him. He was handed a five-year ban from cricket and also a six-month jail sentence for his role in the impropriety that made the news during Pakistan’s 2010 tour of England.
Mohammad Amir and team-mate Mohammad Asif were guilty of bowling deliberate no-balls while on Pakistan’s tour of England in August 2010. They were to receive payment from a betting syndicate for doing so.
An agent called Mazhar Majeed who was in touch with some of the Pakistani player’s was bribed by undercover reporter Mahzer Mahmood in return for information that Amir and Asif are to deliver no-balls purposefully at some points during the match.
Amir produced a no-ball on the third delivery of his first over. He had also predicted other such deliveries that indeed took place in the game. Scotland Yard reacted quickly by arresting Majeed. Amir, Salman Butt and Asif were withdrawn from the Pakistan team and court proceedings ensued with Amir claiming his innocence in the matter.
Eventually Amir was suspended by the International Cricket Council after the allegations were proven and it was announced on September 2 2010.
The incident involving the cash-till sound happened during the third match of the T20 versus the Kiwi’s and the investigation was centred around that match. It was being played in Wellington on Friday.
Amir could not take a wicket in that match and New Zealand won by 95 runs.
Reports confirmed that Mark McLeod, the announcer for the match had played the clip when the pacer came on to bowl.
The sports presenter, McCloud has on his LinkedIn page announced that among his clients are New Zealand Rugby, New Zealand Cricket, Wellington Rugby/Hurricanes and Wellington Cricket. He went on to say that he,
“Have presented over 1000 events since I began in 1995. Responsible for all sound issues at most venues.”
“Own and operate my own sound system for cricket and rugby matches as well as play all music and present all aspects of games. M/C and DJ, operator and director in many cases.
“It all comes back to music!”
David White, New Zealand Cricket chief executive said,
“I think it was inappropriate and disrespectful, and has the effect of trivialising one of the biggest issues facing cricket at the moment.
“I've contacted the Pakistan team management to apologise, and to assure them there will be no repeat.”
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