New Delhi, Nov 11 (TOI): Dheeraj Dixit, a freelance photographer embroiled in match-fixing controversy following allegations made by tainted Pakistan pacer Mohammad Asif's former girlfriend Veena Malik, has accused the Pakistani actress of having close links with alleged bookie Mazhar Majeed.

Dixit claimed in the Capital on Wednesday that Malik had spoken to him about her links with Majeed, who was caught on tape talking about spot fixing during the England-Pakistan series in August.

Following the telecast of the tape, three Pakistani players - Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer - were suspended for their alleged role in spot-fixing.

"Veena had a boyfriend who she used to call 'Match'. She knew hin for three years. I found out later that 'Match' was none other than Mazhar Majeed. They were very close. Malik had told me that she had introduced (Mohammad) Asif to 'Match'," Dixit told reporters.

"She also told me that she had seven players with her." Dixit claimed he was told that the players were given the amount generated through match-fixing as endorsement fee. "Just see her past. Where was she just seven years back and where's she now? She has got a house, big cars and huge properties," Dixit said suggesting that Malik might have benefitted directly from match-fixing.

The photographer sought to clear his position over allegation of match-fixing saying that he never resorted to any malpractice to earn money. "I had a close relationship with the Anti-Corruption Unit of the International Cricket Council (ICC). In fact, I was one of their informers for three years earlier this decade."

Dixit said he knew some controversy would crop up during the three-match Test series between England and Pakistan in England. "I had alerted some TV channels but nobody took it seriously."

If he had information beforehand, why didn't he approach the ICC? "I did not get a platform and did not had the evidence." Dixit said he had received death calls after his name surfaced in the match-fixing allegations.

Taking a dig at Malik, Dixit said he had written to the ministry of external affairs (MEA) asking it to cancel the visa to the Pakistani actress, who is a participant in a reality show. He accused Malik of character assassination for her remarks that she has substantial evidence to prove he had approached Asif for spot-fixing. She had also called him a bookmaker and a match-fixer. "The government of India, especially MEA, could protect me from such activity by cancelling the visa extended to this lady, Veena Malik. If no action is taken against her, it could hamper the ongoing investigation into spot-fixing by the Scotland Yard and other agencies he wrote in a letter to MEA secretary Nirupama Rao."