Pakistan cricket is facing one of the darkest days in its history with the match-fixing revelations involving several members of the Pakistan cricket team. While the allegations have not yet been proven, the evidence on hand suggests all is not well in the Pakistan camp.
Dawn.com’s sports desk will keep an eye on the developments as the day goes on.
We also invite our readers to debate the imbroglio, its implications and what the future holds for Pakistan cricket.
Latest from the world press on the Lord’s fixing scandal:
Several Pakistani players knew Mazhar majeed
The three balls that might taint Pakistan cricket forever
Lack of killer instinct in Pakistan’s attack
Lord’s fixing scandal on internet forums, Facebook, Twitter:
@umairjav: stuart broad must be bummed at finding out he’s actually not that great a batsman
@KamranAbbasi: In the middle of the flood crisis and Ramadan, what a way to behave. An utter humiliation for Pakistan cricket on and off the field.
@cpyala: Question for Aalim Online: Does the money donated by Pak cricketers for flood relief become haraam?
@karachikhatmal: in 99 you broke my heart. but i was 16, and i learnt to love you again. i fear i am too old to love you again. why #pakcricket?
The views expressed by the reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Some great Pakistani player rightly said yes Pakistan has a wonderful cricket team, but only difficulty is to get 11 players together. Why this has to happen only to Pakistan. Lahore High Court judge did pass a report after Salim Malik Scandal . Like every other Judicial inquiry in our part of the world all the report gets is to gather dust. I feel sad to read TK’s comment regarding where to deliver the aid money and I only hope that the younger generation of Pakistan pulls it out of this rut.
It’s SHAME. I will stop watching Pakistani cricket the game and team I love the most. I am sad.
This is another dark day for Pakistan cricket. Yes these are allegations which need to be proven in order to take action. However the evidence of the no balls in the News of the World and the actions of Amir and Asif on it seemed too good just to be a coincidence. As far as Salman Butt goes, there is currently no concrete evidence linking him with this. Standing in a photograph with an undercover news reporter and someone arrested for conspiracy to defraud bookmakers is not a crime. I am sure Salman has had hundreds of persons asking him for photographs on this tour, and you cannot expect him to know the ins and outs of everyone. If on the other hand it is later proven that he is also involved, then there can be no sympathy given his position as captain of the team. The only player I have genuine sympathy for is Amir. At 18 his innocence and naivety has clearly been manipulated by others. Asif has been involved in too many controversies and if found guilty should be banned for life.
I agree that its mistake but so many crickters were involved like hanse cronje, ian botham, kapil dev and so many. This is typically english conspiracy to attack on pakistani performing crickters. Britishers are afraid of paki team after defeating one test. this scandal wont come if pak loose last match. All icc owner are now afraid of new wasim akram. why these people didnt involve wahab riaz umer gul or other just they want to ruin amir and asif careers. Pakistan got a good captain after a very long time so they involved salman butt. I suggest pakistan should not take any action to counter this english conspiracy.
Haste makes waste. No doubt. The outcome of investigations will be interesting. Either of the two must be made an example for all, NOTW or our lads.
As an Indian I would ask my Pakistani brothers to pause and wait for the investigations to be completed before labelling anyone as a cheat. Sometimes even the press stoops to very low tactics. Wait for some professional organisation like Scotland Yard to probe this. I am particularly sad for Mohd. Aamer. Such a prodigious talent in this kind of a scandal..hope he comes out clean, I really like this guy.
It is a sting operation. It was staged by the British Police. What happened between the Agent and Players is not known as yet. For example, did he give them money for their interviews with the press.
Has the British Police filed any charges against Pakistan players? Have they? Just hold on and be responsible. Once we know that there are specific charges then only we can begin to see if it makes sense.
I must add, if any of the players is found guilty, they should be banned for life from all parts of cricket and sent to jail.
Somehow, I feel that presumption is of “guilt” rather than wait for the specific charges.
These people should have some shame it is the month of Ramadan and all they can think about is being greedy. Money isnt always going to be there with anyone. Pakistan is already being the target of media all of the world and now this!!!. WHAT A SHAME!!!
From the bottom of my heart i would like to be optimistic and pray that this is a scam, but if i think from my brain then i cant find any reason not to believe Scotland yard. The recent performances of our team in Australia seconds this as our players have shown that their individual interest is supreme and they dont care about the team/country at all. And dont forget we have few cricketers involved in match fixing from our past as well and these new players are not from Mars. And one more thing, it is very difficult to digest that Scotland yard would do something so weird which they wont be able to defend.
Why are many of you blaming media for this? The media is bringing out the truth! These conspiracy theories MUST stop?
If you look at the two no-balls Amer bowled it is apparent that he did that on purpose, what exaggerated no-balls coming from a talented guy like him. Take a moment to reflect why an 18 year with such a God given talent and opportunity do something like this? It is simply because corruption is embedded in our core fabric and character.
The only way to make a change is to cut the cancer at its core. Any and everyone involved needs to be banned for life (period) from representing Pakistan. When others see players like Md. Amer shamefully playing gully cricket again they will think many times before making a decision to cheat.
We need to take action:
– Audit the bank accounts of all players and officials for last five years
– Anyone who cannot explain where the money came from should return the money to PCB, sent to jail, and banned for life with any kind of involvement with the game
– Our PCB chairman and selectors should explain why Akmal brothers are getting selected again and again while their performance is below par consistently. Why other players have not been given chance, we need some answers
BUT!
We are a society that supports corruption, promotes it, and openly flounders the law. Just look at our official response to the worst flood of our history. Nothing will change except some drama, things will go back to ‘as usual’ in no time.
Salman Butt said it rightly that he has won two tests so why he should resign, read it ‘We can do some match fixing after winning these matches, it is our right’.
May Allah save Pakistan from Pakistanis.
Hi,
I am an Indian. When I saw the titled news appearing in The Indian media and on cricinfo, thought to check up Pakistani Media’s coverage and possiblly its readers’ take on the matter. Really amazed to see some self critising (ofcourse for better) comments which gives me an impression that in Pakistan too certain section of readers are vigilant and talking tough against currption and its international brand image.
As always, i believe our sub-continent really needs a clean up especially the way this sport is administered. Obviously at this point in time, we dont need clean up as much as u guys need in Cricket but no shame accepting the fact that we too need some clean up in Delhi CW games. Simply because u love the game which is a) better administred b) having uncertainity element in real sense c) played by competent people in right spirit d) giving value for taxpayers money spent. We some how making some ground in Tenis and badminton because of above factors and loosing ground in Hockey because of lack of above mentioned elements.
Pakistan cricket is institutionally corrupt. I’ll not be surprised at all if patron of PCB is also getting his share from the proceeds. Come on Pakistanis, open your eyes and stop believing on conspiracy theories. The truth is out there.
yeah right, don’t jump to conclusion, dont trust western media.
There are very good chances of a bowler delivering 3 No balls, and if we knew that in Advance, thats even more possibility!!
for God sake guys, come out of your dreams , whats left more in this , i am such ashamed person as being thier supporter and they shattered my confidence upon them and pakistan cricket as in all these years i have ignored these allegations but this time proves and facts are so blatant that neglecting them would make foul of these and probably with our selves. Its a dire time but we need to stand up against any such match fixing and kick out these rubbish out of our team and even all of our sport
Friends Please see it for your self .It will show U how convincing the evidence is .Also thers is an audio & about the ODI’s & T20’s .Pleaase I beg U all read this & see the video
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/924349/Cricket-in-the-dock-as-we-expose-match-fixing-scandal-England-Pakistan-Test.html
If there is ever a need to stage a protest on the streets of Pakistan it is now! To show to the world we stand united against corruption.
hang on guys..
i think we should think somewhat positively here.
no one is actually involved in any of rumours this is just another attempt to end Pakistan cricket future.
not a 18 years old child who has been very impressive in whole series can do such things, he cant even think it.
i think we should be with our team in such a difficult situatin.
I totally agree with all the other readers of your news paper. I think Pakistan team should be banned from all forms of cricket, especially test cricket until the team proves itself again.
This is very shameful for the entire sporting fraternity. Not just for Pakistan cricket, or sub-continental cricket.
But this too, shall pass. Sooner than we know, all will be hunky dory and business as usual.
The corruption of young minds like Amir is due to the useless ICC, inept PCB, the “chalta-hai” sub-continental attitude.
salman butt is the most successful captan of pakistan to bring all the player in a single platform…..
Don,t be so happy dear…
that hapens off the field not on the field… shame on ring master butt…. rumi
I think we should not jump to the conclusions. We have seen whenever, a Pakistani player starts to shine, allegations are leveled on him. So , please be patient, lets police and authority finish the investigation.
Yes you are absolutely right and I agree with you.
True
I totally agree with you Hussain this is just another tactic to demoralized Pakistan players especially in form Amir and Asif. Pakistan player had the same kind of elegations in past especially when there is a new rising star emerging in Pakistan camp. It also happened in past in shape of ball tempering when 2 w’s were in the team at the same venue. I think the result will come out in next few weeks.
Mr. Ahmed, We have a history of blamming others for our sins and mistakes, have you seen the video where the money is being counted. I think it is time to look ourselves in the mirror and be ashamed of ourselves.Let us be honest and speak the truth and try to correct ourselves. I believe our Pakistani society is corrupt from top to bottom and a revolution may be required to cleanse the society.
You are right and please don’t repeat the mistakes which you have made in past.
I agree Hussain. I think people are easily misled and influenced, we should be questioning such allegation. I think it is all propoganda.
We should not believe in everything the western media offers! Our religion also tells us do not believe anythin g without solid evidence! This is a media game to degrade and demoralize in wake of problems!
Think wisely!
Very sad….. I do not understand what does religion has to do with truring the media or not.
A typical mentality blame on westerners.
Get a life…why blame western countries/media for everything bad in Pak, its a very sad episode where talented young players like Aamir and Riaz are wasted like this… tell me from whom you will get solid evidence, Pak media/Taliban or some body else… its shame for the country when people gets ignorant and in denial mode.
Its well said you can wake up a person who is sleeping and you can never wake a person who is pretending to be sleep…
You seem to be a wise person sounds like a joke.
I agree with you too, N.K. If you read through the entire list of comments on this story you’ll realise that actually very few people are questioning. It seems like they’ll believe anything right now. It’s scary how gullible people have become.
yes not everyting in western media can be trusted as not every pakistani can be thought of a citizen worthy of the origin we are talking about. Go watch aljzaeera , news of the world, sky tv, bbc. dont get fooled by who owns those networks but be very subjective and objective of those news with every angle and detail and then come back. Yes the picture is certainly gloomy infact never so gloomy and dark and this has nothing to do with religion.And bringing religion is i am quite speechless why on earth you need to give us advice though religion rather than a subjective or objective comments ..just beats me . Then religion can be subjective and obviously it seems it is to you so you can through when ever you think it fits for even though i dont think this site anywhere asked for it. but feel free to post as i am feeling free to post by first reading the sources thoroughly and just dont stop there try read all sort of angles and details.
Let’s jump to conclusion and do not hide behind the thin veil of religion. The team is a reflection of the nation. If it is corrupt then that is NORMAL. We have taken absolutes in the religion like do not lie, cheat etc and made them optional and guidance as absolute.
Wake Up and smell the coffee and stop using the ‘West’ as the scape goat. More of our players are yet again a sham: Fact, we have a history of being involved in scams: Fact, its plain as day that Amir is guilty: Fact.
Let’s not jump to the allegation! Wait till the truth comes out and then punnished all the players and their manegers coach and other responsible officilas with hefty fines and banned them for life. The media and some other criket playing countries are determine to destroy Pakistan’s cricket. We need to select players on merit basis regardless their region, religion without any influence. That is what the problem with Pakistan’s selection process. Favourtism. Recencent example is Danish Kaneria who got axed for no reason when the real culprit was Kamar Akmal who drop cathes on his bowling to the same Australian batsman M. Hussey. Also in first test against England on stumping chance against Colingdewood. But Mr. Kamaran is still playing why? This is our downfall poor seletion and slection of incompetents from top to bottom. We need to rebuilt our cricket structure with diciplined, talented young and senior players with high moral ethic standars to face the cruel world who is looking for any excuse to defame Pakistan.
Why do you believe that the whole world is looking for an excuse to defame Pakistan?
You need to sort out your thoughts. On one hand you blame others who want to destroy Pakistan cricket for reasons only known to you and on the other hand you want to discipline the players and tech them ‘high moral ethical standards.’ These are contradiction in terms. Face the facts. There is corruption in cricket like in every other walk of life. Why should cricket be any different.
There are video recordings, what more do you want to prove?
I think this is the end of Pakistan Cricket.Forget about One day Series we wont see Pakistan again playing on international Stage.Get rid of all these cheats once and for all and then select those players who can play like test players under pressure.This time they are caught red-handed now we all have seen the Fire and Smoke as well
We have thousands of cricketers in Pakistan .This current pakistan team is Pathetic anyway.I have no sympathy for them. PAKISTAN ZINDABAD