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In a Fix Again: How Did Pakistan Cricket Arrive in this Tight Spot

afiasalam by afiasalam
September 9, 2010
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http://www.newslinemagazine.com/2010/09/in-a-fix-again-how-did-pakistan-cricket-arrive-in-this-tight-spot/

By Afia Salam 7 September 2010mazhar-majeed09-10
Guess it was too good to last.

Even before the celebrations over young Amir’s six-wicket haul in an innings died down, the sordid saga of ‘fancy-fixing’ (what a term!) or ‘spot-fixing’ was unfolded by the British newspaper News of the World. In a bold sting operation as part of its investigative reporting, the tabloid revealed how the ongoing Lords Test match was tainted through the shenanigans of a bookie’s agent, Mazhar Majeed, who had links with fast bowlers Mohammed Amir and Mohammed Asif, skipper Salman Butt and wicketkeeper, Kamran Akmal, who did his bidding for money.

The photographic as well as corroborating video ‘evidence’ shocked, stunned and disgusted not just Pakistanis, but generated a tidal wave of condemnation across the cricket world, resulting in calls for Pakistan’s expulsion from the ICC (International Cricket Council).

Four players were immediately in the doghouse, and more names, such as those of Wahab Riaz, Umer Akmal and Shoaib Malik, were added to the list. Scotland Yard swung into action, cell phones of the four players were seized for investigation, along with their laptops, etc. The only person to be taken into custody was Mazhar Majeed, on a charge of “trying to defraud the bookies,” a bailable offence, which is why he was out after 24 hours.

Majeed’s offence may be restricted to just defrauding the bookies, but the crime of the players is far greater. First off, it is not a case of match fixing – though the corrupt in the fraternity have done that as well. It is called fancy-fixing. In this particular instance, they bowled no-balls, on demand. True, these no-balls would not have altered the outcome of the match, but if they can come under such influences for such fancy stuff, match fixing is just the next rung of the ladder.

For the moment, the players are the accused and not the guilty (see the poll below). Be that as it may, whatever has been playing out in the media is pretty damning. News of the World had gone to Scotland Yard after doing its homework pretty well.

So what now? How did we arrive here? One answer, and I am sure past skipper Rashid Latif must be trying very hard not to say “I told you so,” is because we never blocked the road leading to this route. Rashid was one of the first whistle-blowers in the team who insisted that match-fixing was going on and named his colleagues at great risk to his career. Right from the early ’90s when the allegations, and later when proven instances of corruption at the international level started, the authorities were very slow to move – slow and inconsistent. Despite the rumble and roar of having “zero tolerance” for such shady activities in the gentlemen’s game, we saw players being pardoned, fines reduced and sentences overturned at the behest of powers that be.

And lest we Pakistanis kill ourselves through self-flagellation, this is a disease that plagues the entire cricketing world, though the subcontinent has been the hardest hit, thanks to the Mumbai underworld that has a thriving betting mafia. Internationally, we have seen captains like Azharuddin, Salim Malik and the late Hansie Cronje banned for life for match fixing, along with international cricketers like Ata-ur-Rehman of Pakistan, and Ajay Jadeja of India.

Many others were slapped with fiDV817036nes and other mild wraps on the knuckles. These included Shane Warne and Mark Waugh of Australia, who were found guilty of providing pitch information to bookies.

Oh Captain, My Captain: As of now, Salman Butt is not looking like the inspirational leader many thought he would be. Photo: AFP

We have seen the entire Sharjah edifice crumble and one of the main reasons was the huge influence of the bookies on the games being played there. So much so that one would see each and every player – and spectator – holding cell phones to their ears. It made one wonder if they were really there to watch/play the match.

Without dwelling too much on the past, we must see the present scandal in that very context. The repetition has been because of a lack of will on part of the authorities to deal with this menace with a firm hand. And while we are quick to blame the players and demand exemplary punishment for them, we need similar measures taken for the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) officials. If these things keep happening under their watch, then they are just as responsible and guilty. They may not have accepted money, but they are getting fat salaries and are not doing their jobs right. The top-heavy touring party even has a security manager whose job was to keep an eye on the players and to keep them away from shady characters like Majeed. However, reports indicate that Majeed was in and out of the dressing room – that hallowed ground where no one but the players should be. We still remember Imran Khan telling the then Board secretary, Colonel Rafi Naseem, to get out of the dressing room.

Now we hear that not only Majeed but his brother had also been socialising with the players along the boundary, in the dressing room and in restaurants, presumably because he was a players’ agent who used to get them endorsement contracts. What endorsements? These are centrally contracted players of the national team. How can they have individual sponsorships and endorsements? Then again, it appears that the players were asked to stay away from the duo. When the (mis)management saw that this wasn’t happening, what steps did it take? It is this inaction and lack of will to enforce such orders that has been the undoing of cricket in Pakistan.

But this is not all. The ICC itself has the much touted Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), that was formed to clean up the game and keep it that way. On the ICC websites, the Terms of Reference for the ACU, and its modus operandi state:

“Allegations of corrupt activity are probed thoroughly by the Unit’s Investigators, sometimes with the assistance of Police Officers. In support of their efforts, the ACSU’s Information Manager continues to build an international network of contacts in both the legal and illegal markets so that where concerns are raised, the Unit is able to activate these relationships and effectively investigate allegations.

All players and officials that take part in the top level of international cricket pass through the ACSU’s education programme.

As part of the education process, players are given details of the ways in which corruptors may seek to ‘groom’ them from an early age as well as the penalties that exist – not just for fixing all or part of a match but also for accepting money, benefit or other reward for the provision of information or failing to disclose the inappropriate conduct of others.

The five Regional Security Managers coordinate the ACSU’s prevention measures. These experienced law enforcement professionals are present at every international series to ensure that strict anti-corruption protocols are enforced at all venues, particularly around the dressing room areas.”

Well, as can be seen from whatever went on at Lords cricket ground, the mecca of cricket, this unit too has been found wanting.

As far as the argument of poverty and illiteracy inducing the boys into temptation goes, we should not really read too much into that. How poor or uneducated were Cronje, Gibbs or Boje of South Africa; Warne and Waugh of Australia, or Azharuddin and Jadeja of India.

While education and grooming as well as financial stability do matter, we in Pakistan at least cannot really claim that a lack of these are the reasons for moral turpitude or avarice. Were it so, over 90% of our population would be made up of crooks, for they would have ample reason to be so. Instead, we see many of them toiling hard to earn an honest living, whether in the fields or factories, whereas the millions and billions that are siphoned off the tax payers money and corrupt kickbacks are done by the educated and affluent members of society.

DV817087So let us not be too quick to judge the motive. The bottom line is, the corruption in cricket exists due to the inefficiency of the people manning the echelons of power. And this inefficiency exists because there is neither any representation nor any accountability of these powerful people.

Disappointed: Perhaps instead of having his hands on his head, this cricketer should be hanging his head in shame. Photo: AFP

They are appointed at whim, by a person who should be spending his time looking after the affairs of the state instead of patronising the game, which should be run by management experts who are answerable to their shareholders or board members. And this goes for the various standing committees of legislators. They should pay attention to legislation. If they claim to be the flag-bearers (or pallbearers?) of democracy in Pakistan, then let them demand an end to ad-hocism in the PCB and restore its governing council, to which the Board management would be answerable.

No one needs to reinvent the wheel here. Look around. None of the other cricket boards are run by cricketers. They are running as smoothly oiled machines whose accounts are transparent and whose future vision is clearly spelt out.

Let us, for once, rise like a phoenix from the ashes of our own making. Let the report come out. Punish the guilty evenhandedly. Make an example out of them so it becomes a deterrent. And mind you, we need to stem the rot from its roots. Spot, as well as full-fledged fixing, is rampant through the club cricket structure, and we all know that it exists at the first-class level, as Shoaib Malik confessed to throwing a match. And he was awarded the captaincy after this confession, so that is where the trouble lies.

Just to swim upstream against the tide of anger and condemnation and demands for exemplary punishment, we need a uniform set of laws to correspond to the level of the crime. Right now, the anger within Pakistan, as well as abroad, is almost palpNic401291able, and rightly so. But do remember, life-bans, unless written into the law, violate the fundamental right to livelihood, enshrined in the constitution, as it takes away the chance of a person to express remorse, repent and correct themselves, so one should tread carefully there.

Bowled over: Allegations of spot-fixing have devastated and shamed the cricket-crazy nation of Pakistan.

Also, there are always different degrees of punishments for first timers and habitual offenders. In this entire episode, the only tinge of regret that everyone has expressed has been for Mohammad Amir, who had the world at his feet. He was a raw youngster, and the PCB should have taken him in hand and explained the perils of a similar situation. Should he be punished or should the people who failed to mentor him?

As far as getting rid of the tainted players at the risk of facing a losing streak for a long time is concerned, it may be painful, but is a small price to pay for regaining some of our lost dignity and not becoming total outcasts in the world of cricket. Remember nothing binds us together as completely as cricket.

Also, what would the world of cricket do without the sparks of brilliance Pakistani players display from time to time? Surely it would also be the poorer for the loss. So, for now, let us cut our losses and move on and build the game – not just the team – on a sustainable footing. Anything else is just not cricket.

This article appears in the September issue of Newsline under the title: “In a Fix Again.”

afiasalam

afiasalam

  Resume Freelance journalist and Communications consultant A bridge connecting ideas to people & solutions   Name: Afia Salam DoB:  03021957 Nationality: Pakistani Experience: Journalism: I have been associated with the media in many capacities since 1978. ·   Started as Pakistan's first female cricket writer. ·   Worked at The Star, eveninger of the Dawn group of Newspapers. ·   Editor of an Aviation and Defense magazine (Wings) ·    Executive Editor of The Cricketer magazine in the 80's and 90's, ·   Editor of Pakistan’s first Energy publication in 2001(Energy Update). ·   Joined Dawnnews which was launched as Pakistan’s first English language channel. Worked as a senior copy editor, Head of Culture Desk and content in charge of its flagship morning show titled Daily Breakfast@Dawn. ·   Content head of SpeakforChange blog and its associated web channel 247online.tv where I hosted a show and co-hosted another. ·   Communications Consultant for Exponent Engineers on the charged parking component of the World Bank-Government of Sindh KNIP project ·   Project lead for #C4CC (Conversations for Climate Change) Media capacity building project of High Commission of Canada in Pakistan and UNESCO ·   Project Lead for UNESCO supported  #MIL (Media Information Literacy) for Climate Change Stories from Pakistan, a nationwide media support project I contribute articles as a freelancer to many media outlets eg: Dawn, Tribune, Newsline, Aurora, The News on Sunday, Thirdpole, Nayadaur, The Friday Times. GEO English and Pique magazine.   Advertising: Worked almost 15 years as Creative head and Director Special Projects of three different advertising agencies, Blazon, Argus, and Blitz. From 1991 to 2005.         Development Sector: ·       Headed IUCN-Pakistan (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Education, Communications and Outreach Unit, and also briefly headed their Business and BioDiversity portfolio to kick start engagement with the corporate sector and industries to promote sustainable practices. ·       Served as Sindh coordinator of the newly formed Imran Khan Foundation to provide relief, rehabilitation and resettlement to the victims of 2010 floods in Sindh and of 2011 Badin cloudburst.   Socio-Cultural/Education Sector: ·       Project Manager for Pakistan for Google Cultural Institute  2014-15 to showcase Pakistan’s cultural and historical assets through digital exhibits prepared according to the GCI template.  ·       Communications Lead at Badal Do, a school and education reform programme ·       Visiting faculty at IoBM, having taught courses on Media Law and Ethics, and Environmental Journalism. Training: I have been involved in media development through training of journalists in reporting on environment, climate change, gender, labor, digital security, election reporting, effective use of social media and media ethics. ·       These trainings were held across Pakistan on behalf of organizations such as Pakistan Press Foundation-UNESCO, Intermedia-ILO, IRADA, Civic Action Resource- Solidarity Center, Intermedia-Democracy Reporting International, IUCN Pakistan-Oxfam-GB, LEAD Pakistan-HBS, LEAD-WWF, Green Media Initiatives- GNMI, Pakistan Water Partnership, CEJ-IBA. ·       Have also been a conducted trainings of school teachers, college and university students, and Government officials on the subjects of Environment, Climate Change and Media matters on behalf of IUCN Pakistan,  LEAD Pakistan, Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Greenwich University, Institute of Business Management, Heinrich Boll Stiftung, Islamic Relief Pakistan, , High Commission of Canada in Pakistan ·       Have held media management training for Marie Stopes Society , Unilever Pakistan, Uber- Pakistan and KElectric for their middle and top management.   Authored a commissioned researches on: ·       Needs Assessment for Promoting Ethics and Transparency in Pakistan Media  for Pakistan Press Foundation/Internews ·        Effect of Covid-19 on Journalism. commissioned by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung   Official Nominations: ·       Working Group on Climate Change and Security formed under the National Security Division and Strategic Policy Planning for the preparation of the National Security Policy ·       Member of the National Climate Change Council under the Federal Ministry of Climate Change ·       Multi-stakeholder National Coordinating Body of the Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan to set up Marine Protected Areas in Pakistan and am part of the team that saw through the declaration of Astola Island of Balochistan as Pakistan’s first MPA. ·       Curriculum Review Committee of Government of Sindh to assess gender balance and pluralism in primary school textbooks of 3 subjects ·       Review Committee to assess Climate Change content in Science and Geography Curriculum being developed under the Single National Curriculum ·       Consumer Protection Council announced by the Government of Sindh ·       Baaghban Core Group of Karachi Municipal Corporation’s Horticulture Department. ·       Focal Person and Communications lead for the unique “Art for Climate Change” initiative began under the aegis of Ministry of Climate that has broadened outreach of Climate Change through the art community by taking them on retreats and exhibiting their outputs. Was part of the retreat in 2018 to Naran, and to the Sindh Delta under Government of Sindh banner in 2020. ·       Member of the Gender Based Violence Sub Committee of the Sindh Commission for Human Rights ·       Member of Fact-Finding Committee for the archives verification at National Museum, Karachi ·       Was a member of the first ever rafting expedition on the river Indus which traversed from its entry point into Pakistan to where it drains into the Arabian Sea     I have moderated seminars, Panel discussions, Roundtables, Inception report launches etc for UNDP Small Grants Programme, UNDP Climate Finance in Bangkok, WWF Pakistan, IDRC/Kings College London/IBA Karachi, World Bank ‘Pakistan @100’ launch in Karachi to name a few.   Have ghost written, edited and translated several books and reports of some leading personalities and organizations.   Have also done third party qualitative assessment of projects.   Fellowships:   ·       Fellow of Lead Pakistan (Cohort 16) under its Leadership Development Programme on the subject of Green Economies and completed an additional Fellowship on Indus Basin Benefit Sharing. ·       GRID graduate, which is a leadership development course. ·       Completed a course from on Water from  LUMS Water In Technology School ·       Received scholarship by International Labor Organization for an online course on Gender from its ITC in Turin, Italy. ·       Am an IAF alumni, having completed a course on Liberalism, Environment & Property Rights. ·       Participated in a short course in Women in Executive Leadership at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia on a fellowship from Australia Awards. ·       Was an Journalists Exchange Programme participant of US Consulate on CVE (Countering Violent Extremism)   Memberships and Associations: ·       Advisor for National Forum for Environment & Health, Bolo Bhi, a digital rights research policy and advocacy organization ·       Member of  WWF Pakistan, IUCN Commission on Education and Communications, and IUCN CEESP Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy. ·       Core Group for Water Energy & Food Nexus for Sindh and Universities for Water Network created by the Hisaar Foundation ·       Think tank on Hoga Saaf Pakistan   Member Steering Committee: ·       Alliance on Diversity and Pluralism in Media, ·       Urban Forest Coalition Civil Society Organizations: Trustee and Chair of Board of Indus Earth Trust, a rural development organization Trustee of Helpline Trust, which focuses on consumer and civic rights Trustee of Saneeya Hussain Trust that assists in girls’ higher education, as a President Executive Committee of Baanhn Beli Founding Board member and Vice President Salman Sufi Foundation Member Advisory Committee of FFOP (Faith For Our Planet)     My website is being redone and will be accessible at www.afiasalam.com Some information of my work is available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afia_Salam   I have traveled to Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, India, UAE, Kenya, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, France, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, UK, USA, and Australia in an official as well personal capacity.                                                                                                                                                                        

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Afia salam

Media consultant and trainer, content developer/editor, documentary concept and script writer, presenter/producer.
Currently working as free lance journalist and media trainer, especially in the field of Environmental journalism.

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