Moments that changed cricket forever: Match-fixing scandals

The tainted trio from Pakistan: (Year: 2010)

The tainted trio from Pakistan

Probably one of the worst and the most publicized scandal of till today. Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt, otherwise known as the ‘tainted trio’, were caught for their involvement in spot-fixing in the year 2010. The news came to light through an undercover journalist who managed to unravel their plot through a bookie named Mazhar Majeed.

The players were asked to underperform deliberately, which came as a huge shock for the cricketing fraternity. They were banned from playing cricket for the next five years, including a term in jail. It was unfortunate, especially for Mohammad Amir who was just making a mark for himself on the international circuit.

The IPL saga part I: (Year: 2012)

Though not as major as the other episodes, five Indian players were caught in a sting operation conducted by India TV, a news channel. Bans, ranging from one year to life, were handed to the five players who were caught in the process.

The IPL saga part II: (Year: 2013)

The spate of spot-fixing scandals did not leave the cricketing world alone, re-occurring once again in the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League. This time it was one of India’s star bowlers S. Sreesanth who got caught in the scandal along with two other domestic players. The incident threatened to put Indian cricket into disrepute and many fans lost faith in the game which could have meant the end of the game in the country.

But the board acted swiftly to ensure that that did not happen and the Indian players responded brilliantly by winning the Champions Trophy competition and restoring faith among the fans.

There are other incidents involving some players including Pakistan’s frontline spin bowler Danish Kaneria. Frankly, cricketers are not educated well enough on the negatives of fixing and this has affected the game and dented its pride. The sport will never be the same again.

The colossal effect and the collateral damage – the aftermath

We see a close match, we consider it an instance of fixing. We see a sudden collapse, we think it’s fixed. The malaise has taken the belief out of the extraordinary that could happen in cricket. It has put the game into a grave spot, one that could be called cheap, indicating that some of those real gentlemen could be cheats after all. Honestly, suspicion makes us lose the love for the game.

Fixing should be stopped before the game loses its sheen, its attraction and its integrity.

The game is plagued by bookies, and this has led us to a point where we aren’t sure whom to believe any more. Salman Butt, Hansie Cronje, Sreesanth and all the other players who got caught in the scandals would have had so many fans that would have idolized them and who wanted to be like them in the future. To those fans, it is just a slap in the face to know that their idols are not what they were portrayed to be. The emotional dejection would be too much to bear.

Things have to change; rules should be enforced more strongly. Fixing should be made a criminal offence and should have the highest possible punishment. It is not just about money, but about faith, pride and the belief that we have in the players that get shattered. Players should be educated more on the subject and should be taken care of properly.

Conclusion:

There is no immediate solution but with the right kind of education and preventive measures, cricket could regain its lost pride. It is not just a game for us, but a religion!

Match-fixing has indeed changed the game.

Read more about such events which altered the way cricket was played over the years – The moments that changed cricket forever.