'Tried their best' Pakistan's manager blasts media over accusations Click here for more on this story Posted: Friday June 25, 1999 02:35 AM   Wasim Akram and the rest of the Pakistan team have come under fire for allegedy throwing the title match. Clive Mason/Allsport KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) -- Pakistan's manager Zafar Altaf slammed the national media Thursday over match-fixing allegations against his players after their humiliating defeat by Australia in the World Cup cricket final. "You [the media] should be ashamed of yourselves," Altaf told a news conference before storming out of the arrival lounge at Karachi airport. "A team comprising mostly youngsters reached the final and instead of praising their performance you are leveling baseless accusations," he said as 10 of the squad of 15 returned amid tight security. Some 200 armed commandos were deployed outside the airport but they could not prevent a crowd of more than 5,000 chanting slogans against captain Wasim Akram, who has stayed in England to play league cricket. "Match-fixers are back," the crowd shouted. "The team deserves a kick in the pants. Moin [Khan] the only tiger as rest are lambs." Pakistan lost the final at Lord's by eight wickets when they were bundled out for 132 in 39 of their 50 overs and Australia reached the target in 20.1 overs. Pundits and fans are demanding a probe into the team's performance after several local newspapers claimed Pakistan's players sold the final last Sunday for 400 million rupees (US$8 million). "I don't want to say anything more [on the allegations] because you people [media] seem to know even the unknown," Altaf said angrily. A judicial commission investigating charges of corruption in Pakistan cricket will resume its investigations shortly and its expected that a report will be submitted to Pakistani President Rafiq Tarar in the second week of next month. Judge Malik Mohammad Qayyum, who heads the one-man commission, told reporters on Tuesday the committee had no powers to initiate action against the players for their poor performance in the final. Qayyum was quoted as saying by the official APP news agency that if the court was asked to record a statement about the involvement of players in betting and match-fixing, then action could taken. Altaf said the players were heartbroken. "They are sad, dejected and upset. All know the performance they gave was below par but they tried their best. "I think Australia deserve all credit for putting up a great performance. Catches taken by the Waugh twins and followed up by two critical decisions against Inzamam-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi also led to our downfall," he added. Altaf defended the team's performance in the final, claiming that five players were carrying injuries. The defeat sparked nationwide protests as fans beat effigies of Wasim with sandals before setting fire to them.   Related information Stories Huge reception for Australian team Pakistani fans protest World Cup defeat Australia thrashes Pakistan to win World Cup Multimedia The Pakistan cricket team returned home to a very cold reception.   • Start(2.49 M .MOV) Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI. Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.

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