British media and another match-fixing controversy
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s 23 run win over England in the third ODI at the Oval has sparked a new fixing controversy after a British newspaper The Sun claimed that certain patterns of Pakistan’s innings were fixed. The tabloid questioned why a below par total of 241 was
coughed up in the end which was eventually good enough for Pakistan to register a thrilling win, courtesy of a match winning spell by pacer Umar Gul.
An ICC press release after the match confirmed that the governing body of the game was set to launch a full-fledged investigation into the spot-fixing claims as the men in green made a stunning comeback in the series, bowling the hosts for 218 runs.
The following are the contents of the press release:
"A source informed The Sun newspaper that a certain scoring pattern would emerge during certain stages of the match and, broadly speaking, that information appeared to be correct."
"We therefore feel it is incumbent upon us to launch a full enquiry into this particular game, although it is worth pointing out at this stage that we are not stating as fact that anything untoward has occurred. Only in the fullness of the investigation
can that be established."
“We thank The Sun newspaper for its information and cooperation in this regard and we will work with its staff and sources to ensure the full truth surrounding this match is ascertained.
“The ICC maintains a zero-tolerance approach to corruption in cricket and, as a matter of course, follows up on all credible information that is received, whatever the source. Any player or official found guilty of an offence will face the full rigour of
our robust Anti-Corruption Code so that we can ensure the integrity of the sport is maintained.”
What is interesting to note is that the ICC has only indicated about the batting patterns in Pakistani innings and even the British newspaper has made no mention of the stunning batting collapse of the English team as they threw away a match that they had
all but won.
They were merrily placed at 201 for 5 with Eoin Morgan and Luke Wright coasting towards the win with a 98 run partnership. Only 41 runs were needed off the last 72 balls, when Morgan steered an innocuous delivery from Umar Gul into the hands of substitute
fielder Wahab Riaz at deep square leg.
In the same over Tim Bresnan had his off stump sent cart wheeling by a sharp in swinger soon after Gul accounted for Broad and Swann, before Abdul Razzaq administered the last rites by bowling James Anderson.
His dismissal completed a stunning collapse for the hosts who had lost their last five wickets for only 17 runs, handing Pakistan a win after a woeful month or two, sparked by on and off field troubles.
Yet it seems that the British media is h**l bent on casting doubts on each and every effort put in by the Pakistani team, continuing on their love affair with the team from the sub-continent.
On the other hand, the ICC has indicated that they have received enough evidence from this latest sting operation that has emerged after the News Of the World blew the whistle on the latest round of spot fixing controversy which the paper claimed was the
biggest scandal to hit cricket and resulted in the suspension of Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif.
However it would be a travesty of justice if the ICC does not involve all member boards and spread the investigations to other teams and players who have claimed that they were approached by bookies in recent years.
Tags: