New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS): Former and current cricketers have reacted with shock and disbelief to allegations of match-fixing involving the Pakistani team and asked for strict action to eradicate the scourge from the game.

Greg Chappell, former Australia captain and India coach: "I think we have got to find out who's involved. If the administration is involved I don't think that they should be a part of it (cricket)."

Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka spinner: "The game will go on. We as players only want to play. I would not like to comment on the issue."

Ricky Ponting, Australia captain: "The image of cricket will be tarnished if the allegations are proved right. There are a lot of allegations flowing around. We need to get to the root of the matter."

Abdul Qadir, former Pakistan spinner: "If the allegations are proved right, the players should be banned from life. Any player involved in fixing should be banned for life."

Michael Hussey, Australia batsman: "Match-fixing is a big crime. It brings the game down to the lowest level. At the moment, they are just allegations from a newspaper. If the allegations are proven correct, it will be sad for the game."

Imran Khan, former Pakistan captain: "It is too early to comment at this point. Let the investigations take its course. If the allegations are proved true, it will be the biggest blow to Pakistan cricket."

Matthew Hayden, former Australia Opener: "I was shocked. It's just so disappointing and devastating for us as players to understand that even potentially can happen. (But) you have to have an understanding of the cultures that exist. Involvement of the Scotland Yard means it is beyond cricket now."

Ramiz Raja, former Pakistan captain: "We have become a laughing stock in the world. There will be no respect for Pakistan cricket. We have failed to eradicate the menace of match-fixing. Everything is hillarious about our system. Our players fall for money easily."

Ian Healy, former Australian wicket-keeper: "They're probably crooks, they're ill and they don't care enough about their country or mine. Before you even consider the money, they are throwing away a career or risking a career for one fee and hopefully those types have been caught."

Bob Willis, former England fast bowler: "It is ironic that MCC sponsored the series between Pakistan and Australia. Pakistan cricket was already suffering a lot after the shootings in Lahore. This will make the situation worse now."

International Cricket Council (ICC) president Sharad Pawar Monday said serious action will be taken against any cricketer involved in match-fixing after the London police complete their investigation into the match-fixing allegations surrounding the Pakistan team.

Pawar said the ICC will wait for the investigation to be completed.

Mazhar Majeed, a 35-year-old agent, was caught on videotape accepting 150,000 pounds in a sting operation conducted by The News of the World (NOTW) tabloid.

Three Pakistani players - captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir - are charged with under-performing in the fourth Test match between England and Pakistan.