Pakistan has a rather questionable record when it comes to allegations of match fixing and spot fixing. Many players have faced such allegations in the past; allegations against some were proven which earned Pakistan a bad name. Back in 2010 Pakistan’s talented trio of Salman Butt, Muhammad Asif and teenage pacer Muhammad Amir were banned for five years in a spot fixing scandal on team’s tour of England. The humiliation Pakistan suffered after the 2010 and the subsequent ban on players was thought to be enough to jolt the Board and players into being more vigilant.
However, Pakistan cricket received another jolt in February this year when Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif were caught in a spot-fixing scandal during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) being held in United Arab Emirates. Sharjeel was banned for five years (two and a half years of which were suspended) while Khalid was banned for five years and fined Rupees one million. The two played for Islamabad United in the PSL and were accused of arranging two dot balls in return for money in the opening match of the league. Pacer Mohammad Irfan was banned for one year, six months of which were suspended, and fined one million rupees while spinning all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz was banned for two months (one suspended) and fined Rupees 200,000 for failing to report fixing offers at various stages.
Good news has emerged in the most recent approach by a bookie to a Pakistan player. During the ongoing five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates captain of the Pakistan team, Sarfraz Ahmed, was approached by a bookie who made a spot-fixing offer. Sarfraz however refused the offer straight away and referred the approach to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Anti-Corruption Unit. The investigation will now be taken forward by ICC’s Anti-Corruption unit (ACU).
Sarfraz prompt refusal and brining the approach to the knowledge of PCB’s Anti-Corruption Unit is a positive news and shows that the effort put in by the Board to educate the players and the hard punishments to offenders is now bearing fruit. Sarfraz has set a good example for others around him and his action (though expected of any national player) must be lauded.
Pakistan cricket in the past has suffered a lot due to corrupt players.