Speedster Shoaib Akhtar claims Match-fixing was at its peak in 1996

Karachi: Former Pakistan speedstar Shoaib Akhtar, today asserted that match-fixing was at its peak in the year 1996 however, he abstained from getting involved in it."The atmosphere of the Pakistan dressing room was very strange.

Trust me it was the worst possible dressing room," Shoaib was quoted as saying by Pakistan channel 'Geo News' adding that he, however, always stayed away from fixing circles and cautioned other people about it, advising team-mates to play with integrity and sincerity.The former world's fastest pacer also claimed to have warned Mohammad Amir, who served a five-year suspension after admitting to fixing in 2010, to avoid meeting people who could lure players to match fixing.

The Rawalpindi Express also said he intervened between former cricketers Javed Miandad and Shahid Afridi to give an end to a recent verbal dispute between them through talks, as it would have tarnished Pakistan cricket’s image worldwide. Speaking on Day/Night Test cricket, Shoaib said the cricket officials should consider a number of factors before deciding to hold a D/N test like the local weather and pitch conditions. (UNI)