Spare a thought for the umpires

The issue of match fixing has been talked about and written in detail. Every thing about the subject suggests that these allegations have spoiled the fair name of the game and has brought disrepute to many. Players and administrators keep pointing fingers at others without any substantiative proof. Indeed, there are just accussations and denials laced with the rare acceptance (Cronje, Symcox). It is also said that the cricket fan who has been closely watching matches over the years has been cheated radically. There have also been voices raised against a few umpiring decisions. Some umpires have been dragged into the current controversy needlessly. For example, with not enough evidence available, Pakistan umpire Javed Akhtar has had his decisions questioned by UCBSA chief Ali Bacher.

Spare a thought for the umpires. They are on the field to give the right decisions and conduct the match in a fair manner. But, as we all know, human beings are prone to errors. One should be more sympathetic towards an umpire if he hands out a wrong decision. As the famous adage goes 'to err is human, to forgive is divine.' It is not easy to concentrate deeply throughout a match after he becomes aware that he has dispensed a flawed verdict.

An umpire may be a supporter of a particular player at heart. But when it comes to decision making, he is clear in his conscience with no prejudice against any individual. No umpire is going to present a player with a favourable verdict just because he likes his game. Umpires are not concerned which of the teams emerges victorious. They only want the game of cricket to win.

An umpire gets crucified even if one wrong decision is given. It's possible the decision may have changed the outcome of the match. But never should there be a conception that bad decisions are due to match-fixing or corruption on the umpires' part. Let's put ourselves in his shoes. Most of the umpires are in their middle age, who toil in the heat and officiate under tremendous pressure from players and public as well. They do all this principally because they love the game. No doubt they are paid for doing their job, but still one should make allowances on humanitarian grounds.

The match fixing scandal is bound to affect the umpires, in one way or the other. With more and more matches alleged to have been fixed even in the past, the umpires may feel downcast to have been part of such games. While officiating, he must have concentrated hard to give the right decisions. So it must pain him now to know that he was part of a fixed game without being aware of it.

Match fixing allegations are only going to put more pressure on umpires who perform a thankless task. Let us not make their job even more difficult by accusing them of playing a part in the current scandal surrounding the game.