Pakistan match-fixing claims: Oval ODI under microscope over spot-fixing allegations

[Cricket_Guru]

pak wins oval test, match fixing came running after them PAk wins ODI, its here again CRICKET chiefs launched an investigation during England's one-day match against Pakistan yesterday amid fears it was fixed by an illegal betting syndicate. The International Cricket Council acted after a Sun probe exposed evidence apparently showing that bookies knew details of Pakistan's innings BEFORE the match even began. Incredibly, it comes after three Pakistani stars had already been sent home in disgrace amid claims of match-fixing. The new investigation will centre on suspicious scoring patterns in Pakistan's innings and on two suspect overs during yesterday's match at The Oval. Illegal bookies in India and Dubai apparently knew in advance what would happen so they could launch a betting coup. But The Sun's undercover team was able to pass details to ICC inspectors before the match began. Cricket chiefs then watched as Pakistan's score mirrored the target that bookies had been told in advance by a fixer. It is not thought that the overall result was fixed, only scoring rates in parts of Pakistan's innings. Pakistan eventually won by 23 runs. The scandal centres on whether the match was manipulated by underground bookies to cash in on a popular bet among punters in India, where betting is illegal. Gamblers like to bet on how many runs will be scored in each ten-over session of an innings. Bookies cash in by knowing in advance what will happen, then offering odds that tempt punters to back the wrong result - or by placing bets with other bookies backing what they know will happen. Flown home ... Pakistan stars Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt faced match-fixing claims The dramatic probe began after The Sun received details of calls between a notorious Dubai-based match fixer and a Delhi bookie. We alerted ICC corruption busters led by ex-police chief Sir Ronnie Flanagan. After a frantic round of calls the ICC decided to issue a general warning to Pakistan's players, but by then the game had started. The Sun is withholding details of the alleged fix while the investigation continues - but we can reveal that horrified ICC chiefs launched their investigation before the Pakistan innings had even finished. The probe centres on an individual within the team camp who is believed to be the ringleader, taking money from bookies and ensuring their orders are carried out. ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat last night thanked The Sun for its investigation and pledged tough action on any players found guilty. The Sun can reveal the ICC is also investigating whether the same cartel rigged a Test between Pakistan and Australia in July after allegedly paying players £700,000. Pakistan's Test captain Salman Butt, 25, and bowlers Mohammad Asif, 27, and Mohammad Amir, 18, flew home after the News of the World revealed no-balls were deliberately sent down in the Lord's Test. Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal is also under investigation. All deny any wrongdoing. MashaAllah, what nonsense!

[Cricket_Guru]

THE rancid stench of corruption engulfed cricket again yesterday and now we're all wondering why the hell we bother. Revelations in The Sun of illegal bookies apparently knowing when runs would be scored are repulsive. They make the result at the Brit Oval in last night's third one-day international virtually meaningless. It is a sporting tragedy. Pakistan ended up winning a thrilling match by 23 runs and clearly they were trying hard in the closing overs as England collapsed against Umar Gul's inspired fast bowling. But the final result is not the point of spot-fixing. This insidious, twilight activity involves manipulating passages of play such as the number of runs scored in a block of overs. What's the point of sport if the opposition might not be trying as hard as they can all of the time? The ICC must act to erase this suspicion hanging over the game. If players are found to be guilty, they need to be banned for life. Perhaps Pakistan should even be kicked out of cricket and ordered to clean up their act. Oh, how we long for the Ashes this winter and the raw, no-holds-barred contest in which every player tries 100 per cent. Andrew Flintoff must be thinking he is bloody well out of all this. And what must be going through Andrew Strauss' mind? The England captain is a thoroughly decent man who presents a brilliant image for the game - but his 57 from 54 balls here and his century at Headingley last Sunday have been devalued. After cricket was dragged through the mud in the Lord's Test, we hoped the game would be free from more match-fixing scandal this summer. How foolish. This latest controversy - uncovered by The Sun and with the involvement of the ICC - proves that anything involving Pakistan cricket is open to suspicion. Wherever they go, the whispers of rigging, fixing, manipulating, or cheating will be heard. Four Pakistan players have been interviewed by the police and three of them - Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif - have flown home in disgrace after being charged by the ICC. Despite all this, the links with bookies will not go away. It beggars belief and offends every ounce of human integrity. England failed to gain the win they needed to secure victories in all six series they have played this summer. But there are two matches to go - at Lord's on Monday and the Rose Bowl on Wednesday. Advertisement Pakistan looked flat when they batted and managed just 241 all out at a ground where 300-plus is commonplace. Their two most dangerous players - Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi - both succumbed in the doziest ways imaginable. Akmal attempted a reckless hook shot then Afridi, just as he was beginning to unleash some of his Boom Boom blows, was fast asleep as he deflected a throw on to the stumps when still short of his ground. They might have been genuine dismissals. Who knows? That is one sickening aspect of this affair - everything on the field is viewed as dodgy. We don't know what to trust. We don't know who to trust. James Anderson bowled with skill and conceded just 26 runs in his 10 overs. Tim Bresnan also took three wickets. It looked a straightforward chase for England but, suddenly, Pakistan came alive. Eoin Morgan made 61 and Luke Wright 48 not out to drag England from 103-5 but Gul, bowling with pace and reverse swing, was irresistible. He took 6-42 and was superb. With a great atmosphere, a full house and a surprise result, it should have been a joyous occasion. But instead it will forever be a match under the dark shadow of suspicion. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Even Indians didnt hate or hate us this much than these english media do for just winning 2 matches against them! this article is a match report but with match fixing allegations in it. haha love it:--D

[nballa]

yes you are correct. pakistan has never been or never will be involved in match fixing.

[Sachinism]

Looks like a load of tosh. But just because this probably is, don't for one second try to put all the allegations under the same category because the NOTW sting looks a shitload more legit

[Rajiv]

Now this is classic BS

[Feed]

Pakistan match-fixing claims: Oval ODI under microscope over spot-fixing allegations The Sun' claims the ICC is investigating the match. Pakistan Cricket Board makes no comments. Three Pakistani players are already under suspension. More... They’re bat it again Investigation ... yesterday's game at The Oval is being probed By BRIAN FLYNN Published: Today CRICKET chiefs launched an investigation during England's one-day match against Pakistan yesterday amid fears it was fixed by an illegal betting syndicate. The International Cricket Council acted after a Sun probe exposed evidence apparently showing that bookies knew details of Pakistan's innings BEFORE the match even began. Incredibly, it comes after three Pakistani stars had already been sent home in disgrace amid claims of match-fixing. The new investigation will centre on suspicious scoring patterns in Pakistan's innings and on two suspect overs during yesterday's match at The Oval. Illegal bookies in India and Dubai apparently knew in advance what would happen so they could launch a betting coup. But The Sun's undercover team was able to pass details to ICC inspectors before the match began. Cricket chiefs then watched as Pakistan's score mirrored the target that bookies had been told in advance by a fixer. It is not thought that the overall result was fixed, only scoring rates in parts of Pakistan's innings. Pakistan eventually won by 23 runs. The scandal centres on whether the match was manipulated by underground bookies to cash in on a popular bet among punters in India, where betting is illegal. Gamblers like to bet on how many runs will be scored in each ten-over session of an innings. Bookies cash in by knowing in advance what will happen, then offering odds that tempt punters to back the wrong result - or by placing bets with other bookies backing what they know will happen. Flown home ... Pakistan stars Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt faced match-fixing claims The dramatic probe began after The Sun received details of calls between a notorious Dubai-based match fixer and a Delhi bookie. We alerted ICC corruption busters led by ex-police chief Sir Ronnie Flanagan. After a frantic round of calls the ICC decided to issue a general warning to Pakistan's players, but by then the game had started. The Sun is withholding details of the alleged fix while the investigation continues - but we can reveal that horrified ICC chiefs launched their investigation before the Pakistan innings had even finished. The probe centres on an individual within the team camp who is believed to be the ringleader, taking money from bookies and ensuring their orders are carried out. ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat last night thanked The Sun for its investigation and pledged tough action on any players found guilty. The Sun can reveal the ICC is also investigating whether the same cartel rigged a Test between Pakistan and Australia in July after allegedly paying players £700,000. Pakistan's Test captain Salman Butt, 25, and bowlers Mohammad Asif, 27, and Mohammad Amir, 18, flew home after the News of the World revealed no-balls were deliberately sent down in the Lord's Test. Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal is also under investigation. All deny any wrongdoing.

[Feed]

Oval clash under microscope over spot-fixing allegations EVIDENCE More... Pakistan match-fixing claims: Oval clash under microscope over spot-fixing allegations Yet another cloud was cast over Pakistan’s scandal-ravaged tour on Friday night with reports that an illegal betting syndicate may have influenced parts of the Oval clash. By Nick Hoult Published: 18 Sep 2010 Power of money: Pakistan's role in the Oval clash with England is under scrutiny after more allegations of spot-fixing emerged The International Cricket Council has been handed evidence which suggests that bookmakers were given detailed information on how sections of the Pakistan innings might proceed, with two particular overs coming under suspicion. Cricket chiefs allegedly watched aghast as the targeted overs unfolded as predicted, although it is not thought the eventual result was rigged. The latest revelations came just hours after the London Metropolitan Police confirmed they have sent a file to the Crown Prosecution Service over allegations of spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test. Pakistan return to Lord’s on Monday for the first time since the Test match ended in an atmosphere chillier than Friday night’s autumnal air thanks to the News of the World story accusing them of deliberately bowling no-balls in return for £150,000. The CPS will now have to decide whether the police’s initial investigation has unearthed enough evidence to press charges. Salman Butt, the Pakistan Test captain, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif have all been interviewed by police and suspended by the ICC. A fourth player, Wahab Riaz, was interviewed under caution earlier this week while businessman Mazher Majeed, the alleged co-ordinator of the scam, is on police bail. With the police investigation into the cricketers now appearing at an end it will allow the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit to pursue their own case. Waqar Younis, the Pakistan captain, on Friday night confirmed the team were unaware of the CPS development but he spoke before the latest match-fixing allegations surfaced. “We just concentrated on cricket and we won it fair and square,” said Younis. “I hope we are now finding our stride and I don’t want this to be a fluke. We needed something like this. "It will give us the incentive that we can come back and win this series now.” It is unlikely the ball will reverse at Lord’s the same way it did at the Oval on Friday night, a ground that has suited Umar Gul, the man of the match, before. “We lost the match with the bat as anytime you chase 240 you think you are in the game,” said Andrew Strauss, the England captain.

[EnterTheVoid]

The scandal centres on whether the match was manipulated by underground bookies to cash in on a popular bet among punters in India' date=' where betting is illegal.[/quote'] Would legalizing betting alleviate some of the problem ?

[CSK Fan]

Rajiv, very reliable media like cricinfo and Telegraph are reporting this news. ICC is definitely investigating. How is it bull ****? "A source informed The Sun newspaper that a certain scoring pattern would emerge during certain stages of the match and, broadly speaking, that information appeared to be correct," Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, said. "We therefore feel it is incumbent upon us to launch a full enquiry into this particular game, although it is worth pointing out at this stage that we are not stating as fact that anything untoward has occurred. Only in the fullness of the investigation can that be established." As for the OP, this information was sent BEFORE the match was won by Pak. Only a moron would believe that Pakistan winning a match on a half-empty stadium will make an impact to anyone in the world. I am never rude to people but i have lost my patience with gullible kids like you and this is exactly why Pakistan cricket is where it is now

[SachDan]

Haroon Lorgat: "A source informed The Sun newspaper that a certain scoring pattern would emerge during certain stages of the match and, broadly speaking, that information appeared to be correct. We therefore feel it is incumbent upon us to launch a full enquiry into this particular game although it is worth pointing out at this stage that we are not stating as fact that anything untoward has occurred. Only in the fullness of the investigation can that be established. We thank The Sun newspaper for its information and cooperation in this regard and we will work with its staff and sources to ensure the full truth surrounding this match is ascertained. The ICC maintains a zero-tolerance approach to corruption in cricket and, as a matter of course, follows up on all credible information that is received, whatever the source. Any player or official found guilty of an offence will face the full rigour of our robust Anti-Corruption Code so that we can ensure the integrity of the sport is maintained."

[nballa]

obviously misleading info and nothing to worry about, pakis would be stupid to involve in misadventures like these when there is an ongoing investigation going on. common sense would dictate that the cheats would keep a low profile for atleast a year.

[CSK Fan]

obviously misleading info and nothing to worry about' date=' pakis would be stupid to involve in misadventures like these when there is an ongoing investigation going on. common sense would dictate that the cheats would keep a low profile for atleast a year.[/quote'] I dont think the players had a choice. Too much moeny is involved and whoever is behind this does not care if a few players are sacrificed. Maybe it was 'fixed' before the series began and the underworld doesnt want to lose money on the bets already placed

[saneindian]

obviously misleading info and nothing to worry about' date=' pakis would be stupid to involve in misadventures like these when there is an ongoing investigation going on. common sense would dictate that the cheats would keep a low profile for atleast a year.[/quote'] A cheat's mind will say this could be the best time to make a killing :--D

[Bumper]

obviously misleading info and nothing to worry about' date=' pakis would be stupid to involve in misadventures like these when there is an ongoing investigation going on. common sense would dictate that the cheats would keep a low profile for atleast a year.[/quote'] OTOH, this could be their biggest alibi too, that no one would suspect them to fix a game when the investigation is already going on. But in reality it may be none of that. Once you agree to take money & spot-fix part of a game, the players have to honor the contract. Otherwise the life of these players could be in danger, as the stakes involved for the concerned bookies are very very high. According to Majeed the plans were already afoot to fix this ODI series so the "contracts" must have been already established. But then again, since my respect for Shoaib Akhtar has gone up ten folds, I dont see it this way! In any case, I think Pakistan has proved itself to be a rogue cricketing nation and deserves a ban from all forms of cricket for another 5 years. Let these players learn to perfect fixing the Karachi league without getting caught in this time and then they can try their tricks once again at the international level.

[Gunner_Mania]

Their batsmen must have'allegedly' thought, why should only the bowlers spot fix, we can also do, we are not just good at collapsing.

[Roshanrocks]

OTOH, this could be their biggest alibi too, that no one would suspect them to fix a game when the investigation is already going on. But in reality it may be none of that. Once you agree to take money & spot-fix part of a game, the players have to honor the contract. Otherwise the life of these players could be in danger, as the stakes involved for the concerned bookies are very very high. According to Majeed the plans were already afoot to fix this ODI series so the "contracts" must have been already established. But then again, since my respect for Shoaib Akhtar has gone up ten folds, I dont see it this way! In any case, I think Pakistan has proved itself to be a rogue cricketing nation and deserves a ban from all forms of cricket for another 5 years. Let these players learn to perfect fixing the Karachi league without getting caught in this time and then they can try their tricks once again at the international level.

:hysterical:

[nballa]

I dont think the players had a choice. Too much moeny is involved and whoever is behind this does not care if a few players are sacrificed. Maybe it was 'fixed' before the series began and the underworld doesnt want to lose money on the bets already placed

A cheat's mind will say this could be the best time to make a killing :--D

OTOH, this could be their biggest alibi too, that no one would suspect them to fix a game when the investigation is already going on. But in reality it may be none of that. Once you agree to take money & spot-fix part of a game, the players have to honor the contract. Otherwise the life of these players could be in danger, as the stakes involved for the concerned bookies are very very high. According to Majeed the plans were already afoot to fix this ODI series so the "contracts" must have been already established. But then again, since my respect for Shoaib Akhtar has gone up ten folds, I dont see it this way! In any case, I think Pakistan has proved itself to be a rogue cricketing nation and deserves a ban from all forms of cricket for another 5 years. Let these players learn to perfect fixing the Karachi league without getting caught in this time and then they can try their tricks once again at the international level.

err if the scandal has been exposed once, the bookies will call all bets off because they 'know' that the players might not be able to honor the commitments. so the theory of 'have to honor the contract' does not hold water.

[CSK Fan]

err if the scandal has been exposed once' date=' the bookies will call all bets off because they 'know' that the players might not be able to honor the commitments. so the theory of 'have to honor the contract' does not hold water.[/quote'] First of all most bookies run a honrouable trade so dont equate them with fixers. Secondly, if the underworld is involved, cancelling all bets will cause them to lose millions of dollars in profit. They might still go ahead with it particlarly if they know players can be forced to do it anyways

[CSK Fan]

BTW, the Afridi run-out looks so suspicious, almost like he wanted to get out

[nballa]

First of all most bookies run a honrouable trade so dont equate them with fixers. Secondly' date=' if the underworld is involved, cancelling all bets will cause them to lose millions of dollars in profit. They might still go ahead with it particlarly if they know players can be forced to do it anyways[/quote'] Lets rewind back to the infamous fixed test. salman butt was about to play out a maiden on the order of majeed. but he was afraid that the pitch was lively and an edge for a 4 might be possible, so he signaled that no bets be placed. so yeah the bets can be called off.