Teammate disappointed as CSA confirms match fixing charge against Gulam Bodi

Former South African spinner Paul Harris believes that the match fixing scandal involving former Proteas teammate Gulam Bodi has affected South African cricket in a negative manner.Bodi has played two one-day internationals (ODI) and one Twenty20 match for South African national team in 2007. He has been charged with “contriving to fix, or otherwise improperly influence aspects of the 2015 competition.”

Bodi, believed to be collaborating with the Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) anti-corruption unit, has been suspended ongoing his response to the charge. Bodi is a former opening batsman and spinner who has retired and is now facing possible criminal charges.

Harris said if Bodi is guilty then he should be punished accordingly. The 37 year-old said, “I played a lot of cricket with him at the Titans and I know him fairly well, so it’s a hugely disappointing if he has been involved in something like this. It’s very sad for South African cricket. Let’s hope that if he has done something wrong and a stricter punishment should be given to prevent others from doing it.”

Speculations pointed towards Bodi being the person being investigated, and the CSA has now confirmed it.

In an official statement in December CSA had said it were investigating an “intermediary” for betting syndicates and had laid charges. CSA Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said “Following our investigations and due process, we have reached a point where we can confirm that Mr Bodi is the intermediary who was charged by CSA in early December 2015 under the CSA Anti-Corruption Code.”

"Mr Bodi is presently co-operating with the CSA anti-corruption officials. We now await his response to the charges and the matter will take its course in accordance with the process outlined in the code.” he addedCSA would not comment any further on the case but added that other players could be investigated in connection with the case. South Africa’s government made match-fixing illegal and punishable with a prison sentence following the Hansie Cronje scandal.Cronje was a respected captain of the national side before being banned for life in 2000. He attempted to fix matches on the orders of an Indian betting syndicate. He died in a plane crash in 2002.Indian-born Bodi immigrated to South Africa as a teenager with his family. He played for the Proteas at the Under-19 World Cup. He also represented the domestic Dolphins, Lions and Titans franchises. He also played Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League.