Players used to match-fixing stories: Malik[merged with Does match fixing exist?]

[ahmed16]

Players used to match-fixing stories: Malik
Karachi, Fri, Oct 30 2009

Shoaib Malik says he is much more relaxed now that he is no longer the captain.[© AFP]Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said neither he nor any player of the team was bothered by allegations or groupings or match fixing as these only surfaced when the team lost.

"Honestly speaking the players have become used to these stories. But I can say with certainty there is no match fixing taking place in our team and every player plays for his country with pride."

"But everyone must remember that cricket is a sport and no team can win everyday. Defeat must be accepted sportingly.

Even the World Champions Australia lost the other day to India does it mean they under-performed deliberately."

Malik has dismissed reports that he had led a group of players to the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to replace Younus Khan as captain with Shahid Afridi.

Appearing on a popular talk show on the Geo Super channel, Malik also denied he had led any campaign to have Younus replaced as captain.

"Yes I did meet with the board Chairman but I never suggested to him to replace Younus nor supported the appointment of Afridi. That is not my job and you don't change captains on minor issues. If we have any problems I can talk to Younus myself," he said.

"They are minor issues but we solve them and we support each other. I know all the players back the captain as well.

They are absolutely no groupings in the team. We are a like a unit," he said.

Media reports and statements by Younus and Afridi had indicated that after the team returned home from the Champions Trophy, Malik had led a group of players to the PCB chairman and conveyed they didn't want Younus to continue as captain.

Malik also welcomed the induction of young blood like Umar Akmal and Muhammad Aamer in the team but advised the upcoming players to make use of their good patch.

Malik was replaced as captain by the PCB earlier this year by Younus Khan after Pakistan lost a one-day home series to Sri Lanka.

Malik said he had no desire to run after the captaincy and was happy just playing as an ordinary member of the team.

"I am very much relieved these days. I don't want to be captain again. When I had this responsibility there was lot of tension for me and my family as well. So I am just happy now to perform as a senior player and give my input to the captain and management when asked by them. I am definitely more relaxed now," Malik said.

[Paradox]

Good read. Malik is actually right and I do believe in what he says in this article.. all the stories about groupings etc are rubbish IMO. He just needs to perform more consistently as he's a senior player and we're relying a lot on our juniors like Umar and Aamer these days to win us games.

[MalikMohsin]

"I am very much relieved these days. I don't want to be captain again. When I had this responsibility there was lot of tension for me and my family as well. So I am just happy now to perform as a senior player and give my input to the captain and management when asked by them. I am definitely more relaxed now," Malik said.

I am glad he is not thinking of being captain again.
That is quite some ugly truth and sadly, our public can behave like animal. Good to see him clearing the misunderstanding along with Shahid Khan Afridi.

But Younus continues to make fool of himself in these days.

[Ayyub]

Originally Posted by MalikMohsin I am glad he is not thinking of being captain again. That is quite some ugly truth and sadly, our public can behave like animal. Good to see him clearing the misunderstanding along with Shahid Khan Afridi. But Younus continues to make fool of himself in these days.

even in that time also he was not thinking about captaincy but he was offered and he took as a honour and leading a pakistan team is a dream of every player

[MalikMohsin]

Originally Posted by Ayyub even in that time also he was not thinking about captaincy but he was offered and he took as a honour and leading a pakistan team is a dream of every player

That was the time somebody didn't want to be dummy captain and chose over Pakistan interest.

I understand Malik didn't do job properly, but he did the best he could and did the fine job.

[pakmania]

i dont know why so many PPers make Malik out to be some sort of monster,he has even scored a 100 against india yet people are still after his blood,good read and he is right about the match fixing

[Amir]

Originally Posted by MalikMohsin I am glad he is not thinking of being captain again. That is quite some ugly truth and sadly, our public can behave like animal. Good to see him clearing the misunderstanding along with Shahid Khan Afridi. But Younus continues to make fool of himself in these days.

How, just because it comes out of Shoaib Malik...it must mean its true!

Fact is, that there has been a lot of noise about Malik and it is well documented of his problems with other players when he was captain. I would not rule any possibility out (includling Younus beign an idiot)

[zaid65]

After Younis and Afridi, it is Malik time to come on the media. Who is next?

[Ayyub]

Originally Posted by MalikMohsin That was the time somebody didn't want to be dummy captain and chose over Pakistan interest. I understand Malik didn't do job properly, but he did the best he could and did the fine job.

he was not dummy captain but he was not supported by his team mates

[cricket_fever]

Originally Posted by Paradox Good read. Malik is actually right and I do believe in what he says in this article.. all the stories about groupings etc are rubbish IMO. He just needs to perform more consistently as he's a senior player and we're relying a lot on our juniors like Umar and Aamer these days to win us games.

200% agree wid u
btw....i lyk ur avatar

[MalikMohsin]

Originally Posted by Ayyub he was not dummy captain but he was not supported by his team mates

You do know i meant Younus Khan, right?

[Bublu Bhuyan]

Regarding these match fixing stories, first thing to consider is that players of this generation aren't idiots. They know well and clear that it's virtually impossible to get away after soiling themselves with such things. Next, they have seen the fate of players in the past who engaged themselves with match fixing. It's better to die rather than life a life after being convicted of something like match fixing. Doesn't matter if it's just a game, it's about selling off your nation for some cash.

And in this era of IPL, ICL, etc why on earth would any player need to fix matches ? They can earn 100 time the cash (white money) by merely playing in such a league rather than risk everything by fixing matches (black money).

[Paradox]

I agree with Bublu. Way too tough to get away from anything indecent at all these days, be it on field or off it. The media is always following a cricket player wherever he goes and at whatever he does, and the ICC is doing so too (supervising the on field matters of course).

[Guenon123]

Originally Posted by Bublu Bhuyan Regarding these match fixing stories, first thing to consider is that players of this generation aren't idiots. They know well and clear that it's virtually impossible to get away after soiling themselves with such things. Next, they have seen the fate of players in the past who engaged themselves with match fixing. It's better to die rather than life a life after being convicted of something like match fixing. Doesn't matter if it's just a game, it's about selling off your nation for some cash. And in this era of IPL, ICL, etc why on earth would any player need to fix matches ? They can earn 100 time the cash (white money) by merely playing in such a league rather than risk everything by fixing matches (black money).

The logical answer to those who are still trying to create a fuzz about match-fixing in international cricket. But the media needs 'spicey stuff' and nothing can get more spicier than Pankistan and match-fixing. Even Pakistani politicians make career out of such controversies.

[asadee]

I really think this team has less "fasadi" and complicated people than our teams from the 90s and 80s. Malik, Akmal et al are genuinely nice guys and human beings and I don't see having them any evil intent or manipulative streaks

[saeed-sohail]

Is this the same saint malik who publically came out and said he cant bat in top order?
This guy is a non talent and after playing ten years of intl cricket he is still burdon on pakistan team.

[sali]

Here is the problem. When team is not playing cricket, the media has to bring in spicy cricketing news to keep them going. All these statements from Shoib, YK and Afridi can't be verified. Let's play ball and every thing will be ok bcoz media will have real news to report.

[taaveez]

Originally Posted by Bublu Bhuyan Regarding these match fixing stories, first thing to consider is that players of this generation aren't idiots. They know well and clear that it's virtually impossible to get away after soiling themselves with such things. Next, they have seen the fate of players in the past who engaged themselves with match fixing. It's better to die rather than life a life after being convicted of something like match fixing. Doesn't matter if it's just a game, it's about selling off your nation for some cash. And in this era of IPL, ICL, etc why on earth would any player need to fix matches ? They can earn 100 time the cash (white money) by merely playing in such a league rather than risk everything by fixing matches (black money).

If the betting gone on outside the game is large enough, gamblers can approach players and offer them more cash than they'd make in any league. Not to forget that IPL is off-limits to most Pak players at the moment. And ICL's future is less certain.

What's more frustrating though is that if it isn't match-fixing that's behind your underperformance, then it must be the form and the skill. Which means you should be kicked out anyways. And that's where the real problem lies. If players know their spots will be on the line for the next series, they will have an incentive to perform, or a disincentive not to. Whether it comes from form, skill, or not fixing matches.

[Apnacricket]

It always happens with pakistan and no other team does this match fixing scandal. The pakstani media need to calm down and watch their mouths.

[BD-fan]

Originally Posted by saeed-sohail Is this the same saint malik who publically came out and said he cant bat in top order? This guy is a non talent and after playing ten years of intl cricket he is still burdon on pakistan team.

Not all fingers are equal. There will be a bad apple (s-s) here and there.

[saeed-sohail]

Originally Posted by BD-fan Not all fingers are equal. There will be a bad apple (s-s) here and there.

Listen mate I use be a malik fan but Problem with him is that because he is not a proper batsman and has not improved with exp.
This is the time when people like him should be stepping up to the plate and bat in top3.He should be reaching his peak and this is time to deliver.

[Indiafan]

Originally Posted by saeed-sohail Listen mate I use be a malik fan but Problem with him is that because he is not a proper batsman and has not improved with exp. This is the time when people like him should be stepping up to the plate and bat in top3.He should be reaching his peak and this is time to deliver.

he is still playing better than Younis and was one fo the reasons Pak reached the semis of the CT

[Ryankhan]

i think its about time we all should throw out this bs news of match fixing and rift in the team. now we all know its all good now and we should support our team and plz to our media get evidence then talk. its crap and sad to see our own media not doing good for the team

[Paradox]

Originally Posted by asadee I really think this team has less "fasadi" and complicated people than our teams from the 90s and 80s. Malik, Akmal et al are genuinely nice guys and human beings and I don't see having them any evil intent or manipulative streaks

I totally agree with you, very well said mate. I believe everyone in the team currently, especially people like Malik, Alam, Afridi, Younis, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Rana, Rao, Aamir, etc. are genuinely very very nice guys, and you can it see it from them on and off the field as well. They always put in their best efforts and their character is unmatchable.

[Paradox]

And there aren't really groupings in the team.
It shows in my avatar ^

[LG]

Originally Posted by Paradox And there aren't really groupings in the team. It shows in my avatar ^

Maybe, those are the "parents" of one faction.

[adiabbasi]

I.S.Bindra (Ex-president of Indian Cricket Board) and Manoj Parbahkar accused Kapil Dev of match fixing. Although, Kapil performed a great drama when he started weeping in BBC's program Hard Talk and said that all the allegations are false. He also gave some sentimental statements. Parbahkar said that during 1994, Kapil Dev offered him money to lose a One-Day match that was against Pakistan and was to be played in Sri Lanka. In the statement which he gave to Central Bureau of Investigation, he said that I know that, Kapil also knows that and God knows that Kapil offered money. Before this, I.S.Bindra told that Kapil offered money to Parbahkar.

Pakistan Cricket Board inspite of having strong proofs gave different punishments to different players. The players in the playing 11 or 16 were only charged money while a lifetime cricket ban was imposed on Saleem Malik alongwith a million rupees. Ata-ur-Rehman, a fast bowler who inspite of having many chances failed to impress any one was charged with 100,000 rupees and a lifetime cricket ban. Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar, Inzimam-ul-Haq and Akram Raza were fined 100,000 rupees. Pakistan's most premier fast bowler Wasim Akram and leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmad had to pay 300,000 rupees.

Anyhow, Pakistani Cricket Board set a good example by conducting the punishments recommended by the Judicial Commission. It has eased the way for ICC to impose punishments on the suspected players of the other countries. Meanwhile, a document has been presented to King's Commission that South African Cricket Board president Ali Bacher was involved in match fixing during a visit to the West Indies in 1980's.
This match fixing stuff is going on secretly and quietly for quite some time now. People have emotional attachment to the game of cricket. They keep an eye on what's happening in the world of cricket. The players have become national heroes because of the projection they get on the media and the nation rightly demands them to play not only cricket but also play for the pride of their country.

Cricket is a game of uncertainties and it does not take long before changing the direction of match. We have seen quite often that sometimes two quick wickets or two or three good overs for batting team can changed the whole result of the game. However, one has to win and other team has to lose.

Match fixing is possible only after the consent of the captain and team management. In recent years betting is quite common in the streets. The bookmakers have a very strong network in all the countries. In the hunger of earning more and more money the bookmakers have developed relationship with key-players of different countries and the bookmakers give them money to get the result of their own choice
These days with a lot of 20/20tournaments going on like IPL,CHMPL STANFORD 20/20 and ICL where millions of dollar are on stakes on one match and where ICC has no real monitoring on these tournaments
I personally think that book makers are still active in full force .