E Rodrigopulle: Those found guilty must be banished (16 Sep 1998)

16 September 1998

Those found guilty must be banished to cricket's Siberia

Elmo Rodrigopulle

Pakistan cricket in particular and the game at large was jolted with the announcement that three star Pakistani cricketers Wasim Akram, Salim Malik and Ijaz Ahmed were firmly implicated by the Pakistani Cricket Board inquiry panel of match fixing accusations.

What was surprising in this ugly episode is that the interim report was released to the media during the Commonwealth Games now in progress in Malaysia. There is something queer in this.

But the Pakistan government has appointed a separate commission headed by Justice Malik Mohammed Qayoom of the Lahore High Court to conduct a new investigation regarding bribery.

It will be interesting to see what the outcome of the government inquiry will be.

This is not the first time nor will it be the last that allegations have been levelled at cricketers especially Pakistanis of alleged match fixing and bribery charges.

Over the years this has been the topic of discussion wherever cricketers, officials and cricket fans gather. While everyone is convinced that match fixing and bribery is prevalent, there has been no evidence beyond reasonable doubt to accuse, convict and condemn the guilty ones.

Four countries are being named in this disgraceful events that are taking place and the authorities that matter must move in and cure this wound that shows signs of becoming a cricketing cancer very soon.

Cricket is too good a game to be spoilt by cricketers who seem to be interested in pocketing filthy lucre by besmirching the good name of the game and all that it stands for.

Apparently all is not well with cricket and its administration in Pakistan. Chief Executive Majid Khan who apparently has the knack of getting embroiled in controversy is adamant that the three cricketers accused be banned from international cricket till this probe is completed. But PCB President Khalid Mehmood a government nominee thinks otherwise. He wants the accused cricketers to continue playing till the final report is released.

However it is a shame on the game in Pakistan. Over the years allegations - from ball tampering to bribery and match fixing have been levelled at some of the Pakistani cricketers and The Management but no one seemed interested in probing the allegations.

Better late than never it is said and all those who cherish the game and its good name will applaud the Pakistani authorities for moving in the matter and endeavouring to eradicate this ugly menace.

However the cricketers or however powerful they may be, the time honoured game cries for mercy and deliverance against mercenaries who are creeping into the game and bringing it into disrepute and disgrace. There should be no mercy whatsoever for the culprits.

Once found guilty the punishment must be a deterrent to those harbouring ideas of making a quick buck at the expense of this great game and they must be banished to cricket's Siberia.

While the Pakistan Cricket Board has got moving unable to ignore the repeated allegations of bribery and match-fixing, the International Cricket Conference must not wait for things to happen but must move in and help the PCB in every way possible to get to the root of the matter and completely eradicate it.

In the past the ICC has been tagged a toothless tiger. It is time that it showed it has teeth.

Not only must the PCB smoke out the cricketers involved; it must also get at the men behind this scandal. True they may be a mafia. But the laws of the land have ways of dealing with these rascals and no stone must be left unturned to bring them too to book.

One hopes that there will be no cover ups and that the PCB will cooperate with the committees of inquiry in helping to rule out these wolves in cricket clothing so that the game and all that it stands for will be better for the future generations of cricketers to indulge in.

The cricket world will closely follow the working of these committees of inquiry and the findings that will come out of it.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)