Tuesday, August 31, 2010

CRICKET SHAME

               Not  so  long ago cricket has  been regarded as  gentleman's game.But now  the game  has completely changed not only the  way it played  on the field but off field too. This is mainly  because of  massive  involvement  of money in the  game. The game was played with passion, splendor and as a symbol to define one's status. The stress was on the glory and nation's pride rather than rewards. Such was the glory of this game which thrilled the players as well as viewers.But nowadays, values and priorities have changed. Cricket is benefiting a lot with money and new age Cricketers are more into league Cricket than playing for their country.The onslaught of celebrities , business professionals and gamblers in cricketing world has brought many plagues with it. 


              A new, not last,  scandal has rocked the world of cricket. , A British tabloid has  carried out a sting operation against a fixer, Mazhar Majeed, who has alleged that seven players from the Pakistan cricket team currently on a tour in England are “in his pocket”. Captain Salman Butt, wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal, and two bowlers — Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Amir — have been named by the fixer

         Pakistan cricket team is no stranger to controversies. From ball-biting incidents to ball tampering accusations, from imposing lifetime bans on players to reversing the bans within a few months, from changing captains like one changes clothes to accusations of match fixing. The latest episode is based on circumstantial evidence, with indications that some of the players were up to no good. Scotland Yard has questioned Pakistan team’s manager, Yawar Saeed, captain Salman Butt and two other players. Pakistan has just finished their one of the worst Test series against England and  still has to play the limited overs series. 

           In the last 20 years of cricket’s history, allegations of match fixing have recurred from time to time. The allegations have not been limited to Pakistani players; South Africa’s Hansie Cronje and some of the Indian players were also allegedly involved in the  cricketing scams but none except Salim malik and Cronje were punished. The ICC  should take strong action against the culprits otherwise this would continue in future also.