ICC suspended Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir on 3/10/2010. Pakistan’s High Commissioner in London Wajid Shamsul Hasan said Indian bookies had framed Pakistani cricketers and blamed Sharad Pawar for suspension. Mohammad Asif’s former girlfriend Veena Malik had blamed Indian photographer Dheeraj Dixit for involvement in match-fixing.
Some Pakistanis see conspiracy in the sting operation by News of the World. They should see Pakistan’s record of inexplicable losses over the years. There have been inquires, sometimes action taken against players for sometime, but most of the times players were back in the team. In 1999 Pakistan lost to Bangladesh in World Cup and Wasim Akram said “We are happy to lose to our brothers.”
Geoff Lawson, who was Pakistan’s coach, has mentioned an incident when one Pakistani selector wanted an undeserving player to be in the team because the selector had received a threat that if the player was not in the team the selector’s daughter would be abducted.
Wajid Shamsul Hasan should either mention the names of Indian bookies who framed Pakistani cricketers or retract his statement. Many Pakistanis are in denial and someone said RAW is behind the sting operation. They should ask why Shahid Afridi gave up Test captaincy after one Test in the four Tests series against England. They should watch the recording of Shahid Afridi’s deposition after Australia series.
Some want betting to be legalised in India. They say it is easy to control when it is legal. They are being naive. In England betting is legal and spot-fixing took place in England. Who is watching the bookies? What is the guarantee that those appointed to watch bookies will not accept bribes and keep quiet? ICC’s anti-corruption unit did not unearth any case of match-fixing or spot-fixing. When legalised betting will be more widespread and many more will lose money due to match-fixing or spot-fixing.
ICC World Cup is very interestingggggggg……………….