The cash-rich event has gained in popularity due to the participation of star players like Chris Gayle, Shane Watson and Jacques Kallis among others. PHOTO: BCCI
Armed with too much money, the Indian Premier League (IPL) may ruin cricket, warned former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif three years ago as he mentioned the lucrative T20 event.
The spot-fixing scandal involving three Rajasthan Royals players – Shanthakumaran Sreesanth (a veteran of 53 One-Day Internationals, 27 Tests and 10 Twenty20 internationals), Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila – has added weight to the growing concerns of corruption plaguing the game.
With a corruption scandal surfacing for the second successive time at the lucrative event, the efficacy of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its Anti Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) unit to curb the menace has also came under question. However, former ICC president Ehsan Mani believed there was not much the ICC or ASCU could do, saying the matter was more of a responsibility of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“The ICC should take the lead in safeguarding the sport now,” Mani told The Express Tribune. “It should work with the BCCI and the India government. Catching players is not the solution. This is what I’ve been saying from day one. The real thing is to tackle the main issue — the bookies and punters who tempt these players to get involved in spot-fixing.
“The main bookies are from India — for instance the Danish Kaneria case in which an Indian bookie is involved.”
ACSU a total failure: Sohail
Meanwhile, former captain Amir Sohail said questions are once again going to be raised on ICC’s performance to tackle corruption in cricket.
“The ICC and its ACSU is a total failure,” said Sohail. “The game is being ruined. The ICC mostly sends umpires, referees and match officials in the league besides the ACSU officials and Delhi police or a British tabloid catches the fixers. “It’s a failed institution and if the ICC wants to protect cricket from such controversies then it must change its strategy and bring reforms.”
Sohail said the sport’s world governing body must now dare to question the strong Indian board about measures taken in the IPL.
“This is the second time IPL players have been found involved and the ICC must question the BCCI about the measures put in place for such a big tournament.”
Meanwhile, former Test cricketer Abdul Qadir urged the ICC to take a stand to tackle the menace.
‘ICC to provide full support in probe’
The ICC has said it will provide full support to the BCCI and Delhi Police during the investigation.
The ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said, “The BCCI’s decision to suspend its three cricketers on corruption charges is a clear indicator of the ICC and its Members’ zero-tolerance approach. The ICC and its Members have taken measures to tighten vigilance, strengthen our anti-corruption codes and increase player education programmes as well as offering strict penalties to those found guilty of illegal conduct. It is disappointing to see that despite the extensive education programmes delivered by the ICC and the BCCI, there still appears to be some players who remain vulnerable to temptations.
“We have always maintained that the real battle is against the unscrupulous individuals who are preying on the susceptible players.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 17th, 2013.
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@Ahmer Good Morning! Hope you are aware of all that has happened and has unfortunately some of it has been played out in London Court Rooms. Atleast initiative is taken by some enforcement agencies in India, which shows that there is an inclination to work against these forces, whilst you guys tolerate the lynch pin of this crime syndicat thrive in Pakistan. Eventually with your cricket administrations attitude and your govt and deep states tolerance for these elements Pakipolity and cricket will suffer. I say all that I have said with respect and sincerity.
Down with D company and affiliates.
ICC is Indian Cricket Council. Imagine this had happened in Pakistan it would have banned the country