Match fixing and spot fixing

Pakistani cricketers are in news for match-fixing and spot-fixing. That should not surprise. The way Pakistan had lost some matches was an indication that something was wrong.

Pakistanis have been caught but it is foolish to say only Pakistanis were involved in match-fixing and spot-fixing. Many matches involving different countries raise questions and sometimes the role of umpires needs to be probed. What is passed off as umpiring error could be match-fixing. It could have been going on since the last millennium.

When Sachin Tendulkar was to lead the Indian team to Australia one BCCI official predicted that India would lose the Test series 0-3 and that series witnessed many umpiring errors and India lost the series 0-3.

When Anil Kumble was captain and India toured Sri Lanka there was decision review system. The decisions went in favour of Sri Lankans though TV replays showed that Sri Lankan batsmen who were correctly ruled out by field umpires were ruled not out by the umpire on decision review system. After that series India did not want decision review system. Recently in an ODI Dharmasena’s three decisions were against India. Some felt India should have opted for decision review system. They were naive. All three decisions after review would have been against India.

There is talk of Indian bookies being involved in match-fixing and spot-fixing. That would not be surprising considering the amount involved in betting in India though betting is illegal in India. Some have doubts about IPL matches.

One can assume match-fixing began when betting began. Bookies wanted profits and they tried to fix matches. Betting is business. Profit is the motive.

After Pakistan’s loss to Australia some Pakistani cricketers were banned for match-fixing but they were soon back in the team. It seems PCB is unwilling to act against fixers.

Some say Pakistanis began match-fixing in 1979. Asif Iqbal declaring Pakistan’s Innings 40 runs short of India’s score was the reason to say the Test was fixed.

In 1981 Australia’s Dennis Lillee and Rodney Marsh were involved in betting. Australia had enforced follow on and England has lost seven wickets. At that time Lillee and Marsh bet that England would win.

There are various suggestions for punishing players for match-fixing. One suggestion is to confiscate property of the players involved match-fixing. Another suggestion is to expunge the records of bowers. Suitable punishment for players who fix matches to lose would be to try them for treason and get them maximum punishment.