Pak match-fixing scandal: 'Bookie' named by Asif's ex-girlfriend Veena Malik denies allegations

London: The alleged bookmaker named by Pakistani pacer Mohammad Asif's former girlfriend, Veena Malik, has denied having any role in the latest match-fixing scandal.

Veena, a popular Pakistani actress, had claimed on Monday that she has proof of Asif's involvement in spot-fixing and that he has been in touch with bookmakers in the recent past.

She had a much publicised break-up with Asif earlier this year. Speaking on television, Veena said Asif used to be in touch with an Indian bookmaker named Dixit, who paid him for spot-fixing in matches. (Read:Veena Malik, ex-girlfriend, says Asif worked with Indian bookie)

"Asif used to call up this Indian bookmaker and other bookies as well on the phone of his servant. I have evidence of the messages he exchanged with the bookies," she said as she waved around a paper having a list of messages.

But speaking to NDTV from London, Dheeraj Dixit, who is an Indian photographer, denied this. He infact claimed that Veena Malik was the one who called him saying she was managing some Pakistani players and if he could put her in touch with some Indian businessmen, they could earn good money.

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"She approached me in January...either on 9th or 10th... when I was on the tour to Bangladesh, Dhaka. There was a triangular series happening in Dhaka. Veena Malik called me there in Bangladesh and told me that 'I am wife of Asif.' It was a conversation for 20-22 minutes. In the last 5-7 minutes, she started talking about own business. She said she was managing six to seven Pakistani players...she said she is managing everything.

"Then and she told me, 'If you know any businessman or big man in India we can earn a lot of money.' So I just asked her one question - 'Everyone wants to earn money but I don't know the formulae how they become a millionaire in a night...either it might be bank dacoity or something.' Then she tried to tell me that all matches are fixed. I don't know why she approached me. That's the question because I never called her," Dixit said when asked why Veena Malik took his name if he was innocent.

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Veena broke up with Asif after the latter married as per his parents' wishes. She had filed a court case against Asif for recovery of some 13 million rupees earlier this year after their break-up, with the cricketer denying he owed her anything.

After an ugly exchange of allegations in the media, both reached a settlement on the intervention of a mutual friend.

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Veena said Asif had told her that Pakistan would not win any Test series until 2010 and that good money was to be earned from spot fixing without affecting results of the matches.

"I have more evidence of his involvement and I can show that he and some other players also indulged in spot fixing on the Australian tour," she said.

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She also alleged that Asif had paid bribes to escape a longer suspension when he tested positive in a dope test during the Indian Premier League two years back.