In a fix
The latest allegations concerning possible pre-determined patterns of scoring have left the PCB foaming at the mouth.
The latest allegations concerning possible pre-determined patterns of scoring during portions of Pakistan’s innings in the third One-Day International has left the PCB foaming at the mouth. Allegations of bias are now openly being made and the ICC accused of victimising Pakistan.
To some degree at least, this ire is understandable. But the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ought to tread forward with some caution. We do not yet know precisely what kind of evidence has been handed over to the International Cricket Council (ICC) by yet another tabloid paper. The furore triggered by the last round of accusations which led to an investigation against three players resulted, however, in all kinds of quite relevant information emerging at home. Opinions have varied as to the scenario. While some hold that Salman Butt, Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Amir were framed, at least one bookie interviewed on TV has suggested others within the team were involved and that further fixing could take place.
We understand that powerful cartels are involved in this practice. The simple reality is that spot-fixing, in the form we have apparently seen unfold, can be extremely difficult to eradicate. It is also quite clear we are not seeing the full picture. Parts of it remain obscured. The possibility of players being set-up, even by rival gangs within the team, is not necessarily far-fetched. What we need is to move away from denials and instead launch an impartial investigation of our own into the goings on. An inquiry headed by a respected figure with credibility before the world could help clear Pakistan’s name if there is indeed a deliberate effort on to malign us. On the other hand, the inquiry could also uncover some hard facts about fixing and the manner in which rackets are run. This too could be highly beneficial to us and enable an effort to clean up a situation that could, if left without being tackled, lead us into trouble time and again.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2010.
To some degree at least, this ire is understandable. But the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ought to tread forward with some caution. We do not yet know precisely what kind of evidence has been handed over to the International Cricket Council (ICC) by yet another tabloid paper. The furore triggered by the last round of accusations which led to an investigation against three players resulted, however, in all kinds of quite relevant information emerging at home. Opinions have varied as to the scenario. While some hold that Salman Butt, Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Amir were framed, at least one bookie interviewed on TV has suggested others within the team were involved and that further fixing could take place.
We understand that powerful cartels are involved in this practice. The simple reality is that spot-fixing, in the form we have apparently seen unfold, can be extremely difficult to eradicate. It is also quite clear we are not seeing the full picture. Parts of it remain obscured. The possibility of players being set-up, even by rival gangs within the team, is not necessarily far-fetched. What we need is to move away from denials and instead launch an impartial investigation of our own into the goings on. An inquiry headed by a respected figure with credibility before the world could help clear Pakistan’s name if there is indeed a deliberate effort on to malign us. On the other hand, the inquiry could also uncover some hard facts about fixing and the manner in which rackets are run. This too could be highly beneficial to us and enable an effort to clean up a situation that could, if left without being tackled, lead us into trouble time and again.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2010.