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I will provide all details to CBI: Prabhakar

For former Test all-rounder Manoj Prabhakar, the government's announcement of a CBI probe into match-fixing in Indian cricket is a ''vindication'' of his allegations on the issue.

Prabhakar created ripples three years back saying he was offered money by a teammate to play below potential during the 1994 Singer Cup in Sri Lanka. However, he refrained from naming any player, saying he had no legal protection in the absence of evidence.

''I will provide all details to the CBI,'' the former India player said after the government announced its decision for a CBI probe.

''I will help all those who want to weed out corruption from the system,'' he added.

Following his allegations, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had instituted a one-man inquiry committee under former Chief Justice of India Y V Chandrachud, whose report was presented in parliament earlier this month, almost two-and-a-half years after it was submitted to the board.

After hearing a host of past and present players, including Prabhakar, and journalists, Justice Chandrachud ''dismissed'' the allegations. He maintained that Prabhakar had refused to come up with names despite several requests ''fearing a threat to his life''.

In the days after the sensational disclosure by the Delhi police on April 7, that the now sacked South African captain Hansie Cronje and some of his teammates were involved in rigging matches of last month's one-day series against India, and the subsequent confession by Cronje, the heat turned on the cricketing establishment in India which is also being viewed with suspicion.

After Firday's meeting with with past and present BCCI functionaries, managers and captains, minister for youth affairs and sports S S Dhindsa said there was a unanimity on a credible inquiry into the entire episode.

Prabhakar, though not invited to the meeting, had talks with Dhindsa during lunch. Dhindsa disclosed that he assured protection to Prabhakar if he came up with the names. The minister said he would meet Prabhkar again.

UNI