Karachi, Oct 17 (CRICKETNMORE) Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar claimed on Tuesday that match-fixing was at its rampant best in 1996 but himself refrained from getting involved in the malpractice.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"The atmosphere of the Pakistan dressing room was very strange...Trust me it was the worst possible dressing room," Akhtar was quoted as saying by Geo News.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The "Rawalpindi Express" added he always stayed away from fixing circles and cautioned other people about it, advising team-mates to play with integrity and sincerity.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Akhtar also claimed to have warned fixing convict Mohammad Amir back in 2010 to avoid meeting people who could lure players to match fixing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Amir served a five-year suspension after admitting to fixing in 2010. He returned to action last year and is now a regular in the Pakistan team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Akhtar said he intervened to put an end to a recent public verbal dispute between Javed Miandad and Shahid Afridi, urging the two warring former Pakistan skippers to resolve the matter through dialogue.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"To resolve the matter through talks was the most possible solution. I spoke to Afridi and Javed bhai to settle the matter outside court. If it would have go to the court, then a lot of names would have cropped up," Akhtar told Geo Tv.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"My main concern was that. I told Afridi not to send a legal notice and advised Javed bhai to keep control of his anger and not say anything controversial in public. He exceeded limits by uttering unnecessary things."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 41-year-old said Miandad and Afridi's spat could have opened a Pandora's box, tarnishing Pakistan cricket's image worldwide.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The bitter feud erupted when Miandad accused Afridi of fixing matches for money.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Things are said in the heat of the moment and I also said some inappropriate things in the heat of the moment. I take them back," Miandad said recently.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They later resolved their differences, posting a video online in which Miandad took back his words and Afridi apologised, stating he had always considered Miandad as his elder brother.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Akhtar also lauded the Pakistan team for their recent limited overs victory against the West Indies and expressed reservations over the use of pink ball in Tests.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He said the cricket officials should consider a number of factors before deciding to schedule a Day\/Night Test, such as the local weather and pitch conditions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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