Inzy, not match-fixing, to be blamed for debacle: Imran Khan

London, Mar 28 (UNI) The culture of fear inspired by a 'dim-wit' Inzamam-ul Haq in the team was responsible for Pakistan's early exit from the World Cup, according to Imran Khan.

The world cup winning captain, meanwhile, rubbished as ''nonsense'' the rumours that Green Shirts' tie against minnows Ireland was fixed.

''Absolute nonsense,'' Imran was quoted as saying by The Times.

''I cannot believe it. Firstly I think match-fixing disappeared with Hansie Cronje. I don't think teams are throwing away matches.

''No one would dare to throw a World Cup game. The World Cup is the one place you would want to perform. Once every four years, you're walking on to the field with the world's eyes on you, and the last thing on your mind is the money,'' the former all-rounder, who had guided Pakistan to the ultimate glory in 1992, said.

He squared the blame for Pakistan's flop show on Inzamam saying that the tyrannical skipper never allowed coach Bob Woolmer to take decisions even though he ''doesn't have a clue about cricket strategy'' and was ''one of the worst captains in that World Cup''. .

''About six months ago, I was a bit critical about Woolmer because I thought he was responsible for team strategy -- because Inzamam clearly does not have the brain power for strategy.

''Then it turned out that Woolmer was taking a back seat and Inzamam was taking all the decisions.'' He recollected his interview with Inzamam during a chat show where the burly Multan batsman admitted being the sole decision-maker in the team.

''Inzamam told me, 'Look, I take all the decisions.' So my immediate question was, 'What is Woolmer's role?' He said, 'What I make him do is fielding practice and he creates harmony in the dressing-room.' ''Suddenly it all made sense because I couldn't understand a lot of the team selections. Before they left for the World Cup, I said publicly that I had never known a team going into a World Cup so badly prepared. Inzamam took the field petrified of losing. He didn't pick Danish Kaneria, a leg spinner, against Ireland. It was the most elementary mistake,'' Imran said.

UNI