Scandal and Pak Cricket: Made for Each Other ?

The feeling of euphoria cricket lovers all over the world felt over the recent 'resurgence' in Pakistan cricket was short lived.

Pakistan drew a two match test series against Australia 1- 1 in a ' goodwill series' in England and after being soundly thrashed by England in the first two tests, won a splendid victory in the third. At the fourth and final test, it had England on its knees at seven for 102. The golden run ended there, England made 446 and Pakistan collapsed for 74 and 147 suffering its heaviest- ever innings defeat.

Even to those who swear by the glorious uncertainties of cricket, this was too much to stomach. How can the brilliant Pak pace trio, Mohammad Ameer, Mohammad Asif and rookie Wahab Riaz, allow an eighth wicket partnership of 300 plus and even allowing for its fragile batting, collapse so dramatically in both the innings. Or was it part of riddle which was Pak cricket? Apparently, it was something more. Even as the Lord's test match was in progress, Scotland ard personnel searched hotel rooms and seized the mobiles of some Pakistan players.

They were following up the sensational revelations in the British tabloid ' News of the World' which conducted a sting operation involving a well- known London- based contact man and bookie Mazhar Majeed . Arrested by the police ( later released on bail without any charge sheet being filed), Majeed talked freely about his close association with the Pak players, many of whom he pointed out were interested ' in wealth, women and food', rather than playing cricket. The videos made by the tabloid showed instances of ' spot fixing' where players delivered programmed no balls which had been decided before hand between the fixer and the players.

Was this the latest development in the 'art' of fixing and, if so, it was a serious development.

Rather than trying to fix the result of a match, the fixer now, can tempt errant players to play the nefarious game at its every stage. There were millions of bettors who would put their money on anything, the timing of a no ball or a wide, the exact moment a boundary would be hit and so on.

Thanks to the Pakistan players and fixers, every single action of cricketers could come under scrutiny! Pak captain Salman Butt denied the fixing charges, saying they were only allegations.

' News of the World' thrived on sensationalism and often treated truth with a pinch of salt. Couldn't the video tapes be doctored to achieve the desired result? Only detailed investigations by the police can decide these.

Yet, Pak cricket for several years had been tainted with different types of scandals. The team had lost matches when it was in impregnable positions. Bookies and shady characters had free access to the players.

And the Pak cricket board , neck- deep in controversy, backstabbing and passing the buck seldom had the time to guide and supervise the cricket players. What was more disturbing about the recent scandal was the apparent involvement of Umar Amin and Wahab Riaz, two young newcomers to the team. Had the fixers decided on a new policy of ' catch them young'? That is Pakistan cricket for you It was as chaotic as everything else in the nation. Over the years, it had had as many cricket captains as Prime Ministers. Selectors came and went with alarming regularity. Infighting among players rivalled that prevailing in our political parties and egos were more carefully nurtured than batting or bowling skills. Star players, including captains, were suspended and fined on various counts, but within months, everything was forgotten and forgiven, they were back in the team scoring runs and taking wickets. When was made captain in preference to or Z, players owning allegiance to these two performed badly so that the team could lose. Cricketing sense, team loyalty and national pride were lost on players who, time and again, managed to lose games which should have been won with ease. The climax of all that was wrong with Pak cricket came to s head some weeks back, when all- rounder and one- day specialist, Shahid Afridi, chosen to lead the team because no one else was available, lost the first test match against Australia in neutral England.

Immediately, Afridi announced he did not have the temperament for test cricket, complained of some physical ailment and flew back home, ditching the team.

Despite national turmoil and cricket politics, Pakistan figured in an outstanding and heart throbbing test series against Australia and England on alien soil. It was test cricket at its best with most of the matches finishing well within the stipulated five days. This was cricket for the connoisseur and would have gladdened the hearts of great cricket writers like Cardus, Ray Robinson and Jack Fingleton.

Cool breeze, lush green outfield, pitches which helped both batters and bowlers, skies occasionally blue but suddenly turned cloudy, helping seam bowlers to pose challenges to batsmen. Into this scene marched a number of young Pak medium pacers led by Mohammad Ameer who was only 18. He bowled left arm fast, moved the ball both ways, displayed stamina and skill and in batting would not give away his wicket easily. From the other end, bowled Asif, a veteran at 25, who had faced drug charges in the past and now mesmerized batsmen with his late swing. When the third members of the pace trio, Umar Gul, broke down ( when did he ever complete a full series?), in stepped the burly, unknown Wahab Riaz, bowling left arm, unleashing a mean bouncer and taking five wickets in his debut besides batting sensibly. Seam and swing bowling was England's strength but the rookies from Pakistan outdid them in bowling skills and gave a torrid time to Pietersen, Strauss, Collingwood and other England batters.

The Pak batting was fragile, we saw startling collapses but newcomer Azhar Ali and recalled veteran Mohammad oussuf steadied the ship. Had such talent been spotted in Australia, England or South Africa. We would have seen record breaking achievements and top rankings. But the Pak environment was so different. Players did not seem to be educated and unable to handle money and fame.

Perhaps that was why they succumbed to blandishments from shady fixers, sacrificing personal integrity and national pride. In the past senior players were involved in scandals, but now the rot began from the level of the youngsters. If this was not checked on time, Pak cricket would lose all its credibility. The scandal was also a warning to Indian cricket, particularly the IPL brand, which believed that money was the ultimate goal for the noble game of cricket.