Was India vs Pakistan World Cup semi-final fixed? ICC to probe fresh claims: Reports

London: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is all set to launch an inquiry into a report in the 'Sunday Times', which claimed that Indian bookmakers are fixing the results of England county games and international fixtures.
The newspaper's investigation has suggested that the bookmakers offer thousands of pounds to the players. About 44,000 pounds to batsmen for slow scoring, 50,000 pounds for bowlers who concede runs and 750,000 pounds for a player or official who can guarantee a match outcome.
It also revealed that corruption tainted last year's World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan.
The fixers claimed to have recruited players from countries, including England, using a Bollywood actress as a honeytrap.
A Delhi bookmaker has told the newspaper that county cricket "is a good market" as it involves "low-profile matches and nobody monitors them. That's why good money can be made there without any hassle".
The paper has passed on all the informations it gathered from its investigation to the ICC, who said it would investigate into these "serious allegations".
"We are grateful for the information you have provided and will launch an inquiry into these serious allegations.
"Betting on cricket in the legal and illegal markets continues to grow rapidly and, with many, many millions of dollars being bet on every match, the threat of corrupters seeking to influence the game has not gone away," an ICC spokesperson said.
Just a few weeks ago former Essex bowler Mervyn Westfield became the first English cricketer to be jailed for corruption after he admitted taking money to fix a match against Durham in September 2009.
Last year, three Pakistan players - Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir - were also jailed in Britain for 'spot-fixing' in a 2010 Test match against England.
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Dia fixed on private affair!

By Hindustan Times

Dia Mirza admits that most of her conversations now revolve around tying the knot with fiancé Sahil Sangha. “People only talk about my wedding,” she says with a laugh, adding, “When they ask me when we’re getting married, I reply, ‘where is the ring?” But the actor admits that Sangha,
too, has marriage on his mind. “The other day, while we were driving somewhere, he suddenly asked me if I wanted a destination wedding. I was so surprised, I nearly fell out of the car,” she says, adding, “I said, ‘give me the ring first, then we’ll talk about the wedding.’”

On a serious note Mirza admits she’s looking forward to having an intimate ceremony. “Sahil comes from a very big family, while mine is very small. I just want an intimate wedding, surrounded by the people I wouldn’t want to get married without.”

What’s more, the actor’s trousseau might just give her a chance to venture into a new field — designing. “I have so many close designer friends, that I’ll be in such a dilemma when I have to chose my wedding outfit. Maybe the first thing I should design is my wedding dress,” she says.

The actor, who is currently working on three new production ventures simultaneously, will walk the ramp today for designer Khushali Kumar at Lakme Fashion Week. She admits the bejewelled collection tempted her to return as showstopper.

Ask her whether she’s still racked by nerves when she hits the runway, and Dia responds, “Completely. There’s something about being on stage with all the attention focussed on you that gives you an adrenaline rush. I’m smiling, but in my head, I’m begging ‘God, please don’t let me slip.’”

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