Ex-umpire Holder says he was offered money at Sharjah

Former international umpire John Holder has said he was offered 10,000 pounds to change the course of a One-day International between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Sharjah in 1993.

Holder, who officiated in 11 Tests, made the revelation to BBC Sunday.

"They said if I can somehow lull the Sri Lanka batsmen into putting on a partnership of 85, they would give me 10,000 in cash. I said, 'You've got the wrong person'," the 68-year-old Holder said.

Besides umpiring in Tests, the Barbados-born Holder stood in 19 ODIs from 1988 to 2001. He played as a fast bowler for English county side Hampshire.

Holder said: "I was in Sharjah in 1993 for a one-day international series between Sri Lanka, West Indies and Pakistan. I was introduced to a man and offered 10,000 to make sure Sri Lanka batsmen put on a partnership of 85.

"He told me his syndicate was involved in making money as the game fluctuates. Players and umpires who get involved in match-fixing have got to realise there's no such thing as easy money.

"Once you get into that, your career is ruined. You'd lose your self-respect - the players and commentators would know.

"I couldn't live my life looking over my shoulder, and I'd always be remembered as a cheat, so I had to say 'no', and reported it."

His comments come amid the raging controversy in Indian cricket with three players - S. Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan - in police custody for alleged spot fixing in the Indian Premier League.

Last week, the ICC dropped top Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf from the Champions Trophy after Mumbai Police sought him for questioning in connection with the IPL scandal.