Pakistan cricket great Imran Khan accuses his political opponents of ‘match fixing’

Cricket captain turned Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan has accused his opponents of ‘match fixing’ as key matches of Australia’s tour have been moved to avoid any unrest.

Cricket captain turned Prime Minster, Imran Khan, congratulated the Pakistan Test side for its heroic defence in the second Test and accused his opponents of “match fixing” as his government fights for its political life.

Human Rights Watch has called on the ruling party to stop its threats of violence against opponents and respect the democratic process.

Imran’s political fight with opposition parties threatens to interrupt the first Australian visit in 24 years.

The brilliant former all-rounder has issued a series of threats against the opposition who have moved a no-confidence motion against his leadership which could be voted on during the cricket series in nearby Islamabad.

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Imran Khan has accused his political opponents of ‘match fixing’. Picture: Reuters

According to local media reports, Imran has called on a million supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government to flood the streets around the parliament in Islamabad to block members voting against him.

The opposition has called on its supporters to mount a counter protest.

The unrest is being played out against threats by the government to introduce jail terms for critics who defame it or the military.

It was confirmed on Friday, the limited-overs series against Pakistan has been moved to Lahore to avoid protests which are expected to turn violent in Islamabad where the teams were due to stay next week.

Interior minister Sheikh Rashid confirmed the move on Friday following meetings between the PCB and government. The Australian players were in Lahore for the third Test already and the white-ball players were due to join them this week in that city.

“Congratulations to Babar Azam for leading the Pak team in a tremendous fightback with a superb captain’s innings and world class batting display,” Khan said on social media.

“And congratulations to the rest of the team too in the way they fought back, especially Rizwan and Shafique.

“Unfortunately I could not watch this match as I am fighting on another front against match fixing where huge amounts of money are being used to lure my players!”

Cricket captain turned Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan. Picture: AFP Photo

Imran appears to be alleging the opposition parties are luring members of his coalition to vote against him with his match-fixing analogy.

In 2004 Shane Warne and Tim May alleged Pakistan captain Salim Malik offered them over $250,000 to throw a game in Karachi. Malik was later banned for corruption.

In Pakistan politics and cricket are inextricably linked with the PM’s senior ally, Sheikh Rashid, attending training ahead of the first Test.

The Interior Minister used the opportunity to launch an attack on forces in India for attempting to undermine the series.

Rashid’s comments followed death threats issued to players via their family members.

Pakistan was robbed of international cricket for over a decade following a terror attack which injured members of the Sri Lankan side while it was on the way to the ground during a Test match in Lahore in 2009.

Six members of the visiting side were injured in the attack outside the Gadaffi stadium - where next week’s Test will be held - while six members of the security detail and two civilians, including the driver of the vehicle carrying the umpires, were killed.

Three Australians were caught up in the attack including umpire Simon Taufel who now works as an expert commentator for Channel 7 and Sydney Thunder BBL coach Trevor Bayliss who was coaching Sri Lanka at the time.

Bayliss and the team were lucky to survive when a rocket aimed at their bus missed and hit a light pole. Despite around a dozen terrorists spraying the vehicles and team bus with machine gun fire, only Sri Lankan player Thilan Samaraweera was hit by a bullet, but a number received shrapnel wounds from a grenade blast.

Pakistan held on for a fighting draw in the second Test. Picture: AFP Images

The New Zealand team fled the country on the morning of the first match of its return to Pakistan in September 2021 and England subsequently cancelled its tour.

No New Zealand team had toured since a massive bomb blast at the team hotel in Karachi in 2002.

Australia had not played a series Pakistan since 1994 and the return is being hailed as a diplomatic triumph for a side renowned for its aversion to risk and attention to self-interest.

Pakistan authorities were furious with the Kiwis who they said refused to share intelligence of a threat to the team despite both sides sharing the same hotels and routes to the ground.

“Following an escalation in the New Zealand Government threat levels for Pakistan, and advice from NZC security advisors on the ground, it has been decided the Black Caps will not continue with the tour,” said a statement at the time.

The government is providing thousands of troops, police and special forces to protect the Australian and Pakistan teams hotels and bus routes.

A helicopter accompanies the team buses, jamming equipment blocks internet devices, snipers line the route and all local traffic comes to a halt.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned this week of the dangers of violent clashes in Pakistan with government faces a no-confidence vote sought by the opposition.

“Pakistan’s democratic institutions are facing a new threat,” HRW said in a statement. It urged the government and the opposition to “deter supporters from violence”.

“The situation risks spiralling into a dangerous confrontation,” it said.

“The government has a responsibility to uphold the constitution and allow for voting without threats or violence on the no-confidence motion.”

The group expressed alarm at threats of violence from government ministers aimed at the opposition.

Originally published as Pakistan cricket great Imran Khan accuses his political opponents of ‘match fixing’