In an article sent to PakPassion.net, Rashid Latif questions the intentions behind Lord Condon's latest statements regarding the prevalence of match fixing.

November 17, 2011

 

Speaking the truth is always appreciated and this is the reason why the statement of the former chief of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), Lord Condon was generally lauded, but I don’t understand why he took 10 long years to unearth the fact that all the teams, in one way or the other, are involved in fixing. The decade-long silence actually suggests that Mr. Condon along with the ICC officials of the era turned a blind eye to the menace.

Condon focused more on the pre-ACSU period and expressed satisfaction over the confident that after the established of the Anti-corruption Unit the situation was controlled a great deal. He was wide of the mark again because even after the constitution of the ACSU the fixing was happening right under the nose of the ICC.

Before focusing on Condon’s reign (2001-2010), let’s provide his claims a bit of support that before 1999 the menace was widespread. In a Pak-Australia ODI in Singer trophy in September 1994, both teams wanted to loss that encounter, Australia scored 179 in 50 overs but eventually won by 28 runs. Later, Australia opted to compensate in the following test match between the two countries, played in the same month in Karachi.

Even after the formation of the ACSU, I understand that keeping an eye on every match was not possible but at least premier tournaments like the World Cup could be monitored. Mr. Condon himself admitted that the spot-fixing could not be completely curbed. What he did not say is that they, ICC and ACSU, lacked the will to do so. It’s not rocket science - only cricket knowledge along with common sense can destroy the efforts of maligning the sport.

Here is an example of a match in the super-sixes stage of the 2003 WC, where the team batted first scored 80 runs without losing a wicket in 12 overs, later 4 runs were scored in the following over, but the astonishing fact was that the following 2 overs were maiden. The surprising aspect was that two well-settled and experienced batsmen failed to score a single run in 12 deliveries, and nobody from the ACSU bothered. That was not the only suspicious activity took place in that event. The following editions of the mega events (2007 and 2011) were also not free of suspicious activities. In the latest WC match against India, the lethargic batting display by Pakistan is also a glaring example. But on all the occasions, no one was questioned and the reason is very simple. Either everyone from the teams to the ICC and the ACSU was on the same page or the ACSU lacked knowledge of the game to comprehend what was going on.

Apart from the ODIs, Test cricket in the last decade was also plagued with this malpractice. For instance the test match played between Pakistan and Australia in Sydney last year was to be lost by Australia, but reckless Pakistan batting failed to achieve the 175 runs target and lost in the end. Later, Australia had to compensate by giving away the test match between the two countries in Leeds in July last year.

The problem was and still is that the ACSU lacks ability - they might be the best in their respective fields, but cricket is a different ball game. I have said it before and will say it again that cricketers need to be included in the ACSU to make it effective. Had the above mentioned WC match been witnessed by a cricketer, the aftermath could have been totally different.

The signals coming from the authorities clearly indicate that they are not willing to curtail it. Recently the statement of the incumbent ACSU Chief, Ronnie Flanagan, is indicative of the lethargic attitude of the anti-corruption body. He stated that they know their job and did not want the services of ex-players. The problem is that they are in denial mode - they don’t want interference of ex-cricketers - it’s their call, however the suggestion is worth a try!

Spot-fixing is a problem, which must be tackled with a counter strategy. With a match referee a cricketer should be appointed to observe a match to recognise dubious activity. After the match the designated cricketer should question the relevant player(s) to evaluate the situation.

Neither match nor spot fixing were under check in the last decade yet the former head of the ACSU was making tall claims and speaking half truths. He said the players of the pre-ACSU era were aware of the wrongdoings and should now feel ashamed of their silence; my question to Mr. Condon is that the same philosophy is applied on him as well - he kept "mum" for a decade when he was in-charge and is now revealing the “facts” pointlessly.

When he said that ex-players were shamelessly quiet, then I have a question for him. I personally met with the ACSU officials in Karachi in 2003, and shared valuable information with them but my efforts went in vein, so whose fault was it? Had Mr. Condon broken his silence on time, cricketers like me would have been in a better position to expose the culprit.

Mr. Condon himself noticed a fixing pattern in Sunday league matches in England, he in fact has told the formula of fixing, it’s interesting. If he is aware of the recipe, then he should know about the actual fixing as well.

Not just the ACSU, but the ICC is equally responsible for the spread of the spot-fixing. The apex body should be careful in introducing new rules to the game. The introduction of fielding restriction and power plays actually provided ample opportunities for the spot-fixing. In the past a certain number of fielders were to be stationed in the inner-circle in the first 15 overs, this rule needs to be revisited along with other methods to cleanse the game.

Whatever you may call it, the fact remains that these activities have been in for a long time, its now or never, the ICC and ACSU need to reshuffle their priorities and get down to business with some serious measures to discontinue this threat.

These innovations are having an adverse effect on the game. Therefore, to start with, the ICC should abolish the inner circle, and get back to the old way.

 

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