PADIHAM professional Ajay Sharma today denied that he was at the centre of match-fixing allegations that have rocked the world of cricket.

Police in India have issued a warrant for the arrest of Sharma after discovering a link with Mohammed Azharuddin, who is being widely investigated in the betting scandal.

Reports in the Indian press said that Sharma had fled the country in disguise.

But he signed a contract for Padiham back in February.

And Sharma, who is staying in Burnley at the home of Pankaj Tripathi, said: "If I really had millions in the bank, do you think I would be here in Burnley?

"I am quite happy to let the Indian police see my bank account.

"Everybody is at it in India -- everybody is naming anybody they can think of as a match-fixer."

Sharma intends to sue the Indian magazine India Today, when he completes his Ribblesdale League season which started in earnest at home today against Ribblesdale Wanderers.

He added: "I do not have any foreign cars and I only own one flat. I have nothing to hide.

"I am here to play cricket for Padiham and we've got an important match today. I did not leave India because of the police." Sharma claimed his links with Azharuddin stretched back to when he leant the former Indian captain a bat to use against England during a spell of poor form.

Tripathi added: "Azharuddin scored 186 and he is a very superstitious man.

"So he has always been in touch with Ajay before games and has borrowed a lot of bats off him since.

"And, because they have both represented India, they have ended up sharing rooms.

"So, because they are tracing all Azharuddin's calls, they wanted to ask why Ajay talks to him so much." Sharma added: "I don't know any bookmakers but I do know a lot of Indian cricketers.

"There is no crime in talking to your friends.

"I always call Azharuddin before matches to wish him luck."

Tripathi said that Sharma had been dazed by all the media interest.