Cricket fans burn posters during a protest to condemn Pakistani players in Lahore, Pakistan
The cricket world was rocked by a shocking match-fixing scandal, revealed on Sunday, 29 August by the ‘News of the World’ newspaper, an affiliate of the London Sun, during the fourth and final Test at Lord’s between England and Pakistan. The news effectively took the gloss off the result of the match which England won heavily by an innings and 225 runs. It has also brought the gentlemanly sport into disrepute.
Four Pakistani players are accused of being involved in the spot-fixing scam. They are Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Kamran Akmal. They now face possible suspension pending resolution of the allegations. Spot-fixing involves the prediction of specific events (like No balls, illegal deliveries) within the match at predetermined times. They often yield lucrative sums to the winners.
If the allegations are proved correct, the players involved could face lengthy jail time and a lifetime ban. The agent at the centre of the allegations, Mazhar Majeed, was arrested but has since been released without charge on police bail. He is reported to have been paid £150,000 in cash by an undercover reporter. Mr. Majeed and two others were later rearrested by British customs officers on suspicion of money laundering.
Several independent investigations are currently underway by various cricketing bodies in order to get to the bottom of the alleged crime. Leading the way is the International Cricket Council (ICC), along with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Pakistani Cricket Board (PCB). If the allegations are found to be true, it could result in Pakistan being permanently expelled from all formats of the game. And that would be a national tragedy in Pakistan where cricket is popular.
Many past and present cricket stars want the aforementioned authorities to take an exemplary stand against corruption in order to send a strong message to youngsters that cheating will not be tolerated. One such star is the highly esteemed Imran Khan, former (and current politician) Pakistani Test captain. “If these allegations are true then there should be exemplary punishment,” he told the media.
The reputation of cricket as a gentlemanly sport is today continually being eroded by repeated incidents of corruption and petulant player-conduct. Some argue that the introduction of ‘big money’ into the sport is the root cause of this unprecedented erosion.
Alas, international cricket matches, henceforth, will be viewed with suspicion; and it will take a long time for cricket to regain its integrity and gentlemanly standing in the world of sports.
Ron Saywack.
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After touring Lord’s for the first time this summer, it was impressed on me by the MCC members just how symbiotic gambling and the sport of cricket have always been, ever since the game’s inception.
While the allegations of match-fixing continue to be simply that – allegations – it is clear that the court of public opinion has already made up its mind on this matter.
From this, we shall inevitably see yet another Pakistan captain and a renewed slide into obscurity for a team that has always shown such individual talent but which has always been hounded by scandal, politics and cronyism.
“From this, we shall inevitably see yet another Pakistan captain and a renewed slide into obscurity for a team that has always shown such individual talent but which has always been hounded by scandal, politics and cronyism,” Brendan Munro.
In regard to scandal and controversy involving Pakistan, The Oval ball-tampering fisaco comes to mind. That incident resulted in umpire Darrell Hair, who made the call, being eventually removed from the ICC Elite Patel of umpires and has left a black mark on the game.
Another troubling incident involving pakistan was the 17 March, 2007 sudden death of their coach Bob Woolmer the night following their surprising defeat by Ireland. Even though the cause of death was determined as natural six months after the fact, doubt lingers.
The future of Pakistan as a member of the international cricketing fraternity is at stake.
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