Gentle game of cricket is in deep crisis
CRICKET has traditionally been regarded as a sport of gentlemanly fair play and, in England, any hint of cheating or malpractice has always been frowned upon by the ruling MCC authorities in London.
Shock revelations that members of the Pakistan team have allegedly been involved in a betting scam affecting games against England have rocked the sport internationally with serious ramifications.
The alleged scam revolves around three no-balls delivered by two Pakistan bowlers in the game against England last week, action that was considered central to the nefarious designs of an Asian gambling cartel.
The scandal's timing is very unfortunate, coming in the middle of the horrendous flood disaster in Pakistan which has resulted in millions of people being left homeless, and the government there sees the affair as a breach of the country's honour and dignity.
Pakistani investigators are flying to London to examine the allegations, but four players have been questioned by the Metropolitan Police and former RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan has begun assisting in a top-level inquiry in his role as cricket's anti-corruption chief.
Over the years, there have been strong suspicions about endemic corruption in Pakistani cricket and, undoubtedly, in this murky world of illegal gambling, millions of dollars pass hands.
Pakistani cricketers, compared to those in other nations, in particular England, Australia and even India, are relatively poorly paid and lack of financial inducements may have attracted some to entertain the whims of gambling syndicates.
Such activities, however, cannot be tolerated and, if the allegations are proven, Pakistan will have to be expelled from international cricket.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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