The 'fixing' virus!

Cricket is arguably the sole religion which binds the people of India across its length and breadth in one thread. It has been traditionally acknowledged as “The Gentlemen’s Game” across the globe.

Today, an average cricket fan wonders whether all the faith which he has invested in the game has been worth it or not. When the spurious element of match fixing, and now spot fixing, comes in the mix, it shrouds the cricketing fraternity with its darkness. But the fact of the matter is that it has an undeniable presence and is lurking around under the surface. The cricketing establishments though seem to be living in denial because whenever an incident involving match fixing or spot fixing occurs, they turn a blind eye to it or sweep it under the carpet. I say so because had this problematic aspect been nipped in the bud, it would not have been able to spread like a virus to ‘test’ cricket.

There were instances of match fixing in the 90’s and early 2000’s, where the rot seemed confined chiefly to One Day International matches. Especially, during the late 90’s, names of some cricketing giants came under the scanner owing to their alleged involvement in match fixing. Former Indian skipper Mohd. Azharuddin , Pakistani batsman Samil Malik and South African captain Hansie Cronje were banned for life. Indian batsman Ajay Jadeja was also banned for five years. Even the names of icons such as Wasim Akram and Kapil Dev came up afterwards. While Wasim was barred from captaining Pakistan in future, Kapil was given a clean chit. Moreover, the case against the Haryana Hurricane was rubbished.

But most of these cases, if not all, were limited to ODI matches and not ‘ test’ matches as such. Perhaps, it was so because test matches last for five days. And for a player to make an adverse impact on the game, he has to underperform for a considerable length of period, which would be almost impossible to do without going unnoticed. And with technology, the cameras around in the ground and the discerning eye of the media, it would be inviting trouble to indulge in fixing a ‘test’ match.

It was the Sydney test between Pakistan and Australia earlier this January when eyebrows were raised around the cricketing circles. Pakistan wicket keeper , Kamran Akhmal performed horridly throughout the test, putting down sitters (easy catches), muffling up stumping and run-out chances. Whispers of match fixing were in the air but rubbished by the authorities. The British tabloid, News Of The World, took the cue and claimed to have unearthed the truth of match fixing by performing a sting operation during Pakistan’s tour of England this August-September.

It woke up the ICC from its slumber. The sting operation was done, allegedly on a London based book maker, Mazhar Majeed. The names of Pakistan captain Salman Butt, Mohd. Amir and Mohd. Asif came up for “ spot fixing”. Majeed revealed that the perpetrators in the Sydney test have accumulated whooping amounts of money form fixing the game. Although nothing has been established against the players in question by the ICC’s Anti Corruption Unit (ACU)or the Scotland Yard till now, there are enough and big reasons for alarm as the sanctity of the game is in jeopardy.

The advent of the T20 format, the Indian Premier League, which is full of razzmatazz and the super-lucrative Champions League T20, calls for caution to be exercised in all spheres. Yes, the T20 format gives a large and propelling platform to the younger players to showcase their talents, but its hard to imagine the anxiety of the players who go from rags to riches in a matter of days. T20 being a shorter and more popular format is more susceptible to fixing as well.

It’s a format where momentum swings either way in a jiffy. One bad over, changes the whole complexion of the game and turn it on its head. And with the big shots from the world of bollywood, business and sport involved in the IPL and CLT20, there is massive amount of money involved in the game, which also has its ramifications. And there are elements that are never shy to dangle that bigger and redder and juicier carrot in front of the cricketers, who may ‘fall’ for it.

There are all kinds of people in all walks of life and to completely clear Indian cricket from scrutiny would only be inviting trouble. Cricket administration is politicized in most parts of the world, especially in India and Pakistan. But India should consider itself lucky for having pillars of faith such as Sachin, Dravid, Kumble etc. in their ranks to guide the youngsters along their way. They are idols and mentors from whom today’s generation can learn how to manage life, both on and off the field.

Whereas Pakistan cricket is devoid of such strong pillars. Perhaps iconic figures like Imran Khan and Zaheer Abbas should come to the fore and take the onus on themselves to try and resurrect Pakistan cricket. It would be sad to see an 18 year old Mohd. Amir, in whom the world sees the prospect of becoming the best fast bowler of the world, to come to a shameful and premature end.

Another factor that causes the game to be marred by match fixing is the role of the underworld. There are file photos of Dawood Ibrahim watching an Indo-Pak game in Sharjah, played in the 90’s, from the VIP box. The legendary Pakistan player, Javed Miandad has married his son to Dawood’s daughter. Although this fact cannot be used to establish the pact between Pakistan cricket and match fixing, it shows that some Pakistani cricketers could have possible links to the underworld.

As far as the ICC and the ACU is concerned, its time they wake up and take the bull by the horns and address the issues. Its imperative that the ICC, all the cricket boards, the past and the current players to make sure that nothing is allowed to continue which brings disrepute to the game and its sanctity. Strict vigilance and conduct has to be maintained by all concerned with cricket.

Cynics say that a day might come when cricket matches would be ‘performed’ in front of packed houses like the WWE bouts for the sole purpose of entertaining and earning. Such an idea sickens me, although it makes me question in retrospect, could this match or that have been fixed??? It shatters me and makes me shudder to think about the future of the game, which builds a person’s character, would be. Hope that in the near future, the sanctity of the game is maintained and sanity prevails. Hope that this wonderful game keeps enriching its followers with its goodness forever and ever.