Spot Fixing?

[Aidan11]

He says he will return if Pakistan can guarantee his safety but I would suggest that is impossible.

[D/L]

South Africa, India and other teams have got rid of most match fixers...

Is that really the case, or have some fixers been more successful in covering their tracks? That is probably the more likely explanation. To a fixer, a match is a match and just another opportunity to con the punters and/or the bookies.

[Aidan11]

South Africa, India and other teams have got rid of most match fixers...

Is that really the case, or have some fixers been more successful in covering their tracks? That is probably the more likely explanation. To a fixer, a match is a match and just another opportunity to con the punters and/or the bookies.

I agree. Match fixing isn't just a disease confined to one side. Anyone can be bought if the price is right.

[captaincolly]

I think players from most teams would feel safe reporting any approach from bookies to their team management but it seems as if Pakistan cricket is in a constant state of turmoil-I've lost count of the number of captains they've used in recent years, we regularly hear about dressing room squabbles, numerous players are banned for life only to return a few weeks/months later and the response to any suggestion of improper action is to claim that it's all some sort of conspiracy against Pakistan cricket. The response to the spot-fixing allegations during the series in England was typical-insisting their players were innocent and the England players were throwing matches. The Pakistan Sports Minister has now attacked Haider as a weak character who was too cowardly to go to the board with his allegations! Is it any wonder players feel unable to trust their own board?

There's a story in the Guardian today regarding a domestic game in Pakistan, a match between Lahore Eagles & National Bank. National Bank needed to win the game and improve their run-rate, Haider was captaining Lahore but was sacked on the eve of the game for refusing to include an "unknown bowler" Usman Sarwar. The Eagles were bowled out for 122 in 40.3 overs then National Bank scored 123 in 6.1 overs. The bowler Sarwar went for 78 in 3 overs and guess who made the runs? Salman Butt-92 from 25 balls. Sarwar has never played again, the PCB investigated but found no evidence of foul play.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/no ... r-pakistan

[SaintPowelly]

The Pakistan Sports Minister has now attacked Haider as a weak character who was too cowardly to go to the board with his allegations! Is it any wonder players feel unable to trust their own board?

These comments this morning have annoyed me...it is clear that Pakistan is in turmoil and its clear that Haider made a last minute decision to escape Dubai and go where he felt safe. ( I think he did the right thing )

If acting in a way that is best for your familys protection makes you a coward...then 99% of the world are cowards

[Aidan11]

Maybe Haider feels there is corruption even higher places than just a few possible players on the take.

[SaintPowelly]

Maybe Haider feels there is corruption even higher places than just a few possible players on the take.

I was going to write that, and changed my mind...I do expect there to be some corruption higher up ( hence the weird "life bans" )

[meninblue]

The Pakistan Sports Minister has now attacked Haider as a weak character who was too cowardly to go to the board with his allegations! Is it any wonder players feel unable to trust their own board?

Here is an odd Pakistani cricketer who decides to not be a part of the match fixers in their team. Moreover, he tries to expose the betting racket that has infected the game of cricket. And sadly he is being termed as cowards. However, all cricket fans are now sure that Haider has shown great courage as well as taken a matured step of fleeing. Sensible approach which has saved him and has exposed the cricket fixing. There would be very few fans who will have belief in the statement of Pakistan sports minister.

[captaincolly]

Maybe Haider feels there is corruption even higher places than just a few possible players on the take.

I was going to write that, and changed my mind...I do expect there to be some corruption higher up ( hence the weird "life bans" )

I think that's a fair assumption. At best the people in charge of the Pakistan team appear to be incompetent but, if anything untoward has been going on, it would be a surprise if a handful of players are the only ones involved. Team selection is often an issue in the various allegations and if that is the case the conspiracy has to extend to team management and the board. It's just a very sad situation, obviously the players under suspicion have not been found guilty of anything yet but it's surely impossible for all of the allegations to be false. If players have been threatened and have been motivated more by fear than greed then they deserve more sympathy than condemnation. I don't know how the problems in Pakistan cricket can be sorted out especially as the people who run it are either unable or unwilling to do anything.

[Red Devil]

Evereyone I've spoken to thinks Haider did the right thing - he obviously trusts no-one in the Pakistan set-up right to the top, so why would he risk endangering himself.

The only thing that i would say is that i would have arranged for my family to be on a plane out of there before taking off myself. Having said that, he has succeeded in gaining the attention of the world media so it's unlikely they would try to hurt his family now. He should get them out before the focus dies away and they are left exposed.

The reaction from Pakistan cricket has been unbelievable - how many more earth shattering wake-up calls are needed?

[amitb]

The worst part was Pakistan sports minister calling Haider a "coward"

[amitb]

Hmmm, I can't help but have doubts about this. The guy plays in a few internationals and then flees. Maybe he wants to play for England one day.

So you think he made up this story ?

I wonder why would someone put an end to his intl career and chose to live in UK by making up things about threat to him and his family

Amit the problem is that a lot of people do make up stories.
I have no opinion yet on this as I am not sure what to make out of this.

I'll wait a bit and see how all this pans out.

By the way I am pretty sure there are threats made to cricketeers family and that Pakistan is in a very sad state. As I always say I feel for our brothers from Pakistan, the problems arising in cricket are just symptoms of a much deeper problem from which I don't see how Pakistan will get out off.

But the thing is that he could have played for Pak for another 2-3 yrs and then gone to UK. can someone explain why would someone finish his intl career for UK passport?

[sussexpob]

But the thing is that he could have played for Pak for another 2-3 yrs and then gone to UK. can someone explain why would someone finish his intl career for UK passport?

Because at the moment he has played two tests, in which he was nearly out for a king pair on debut. He is not certain to have a test career, such has been the squad selection cycle in Pakistani cricket with picking guys for a few tests from way left field.... in 12 months time he could be another 4 tester who is dropped never to return......

On the flipside, he does this, he gets a UK passport, renounces his international career and joins county cricket for a better wage as a domesticated player, when considering the figures of Aamers earnings for Pakistan it wouldnt take much for a county to up his wage, then sits out another ten-fifteen years as a good county pro and makes a comfortable living.All this while escaping the inner turmoil of Pakistani cricket.

Now I wonder what may have tempted him to potentially seek asylum?

Until he uncovers details that lead to solid progress in this case, or to those in the team involved, I wont believe this is true! I mean who is to say he isnt involved, and this is an attempt to cover his tracks?

[amitb]

But the thing is that he could have played for Pak for another 2-3 yrs and then gone to UK. can someone explain why would someone finish his intl career for UK passport?

Because at the moment he has played two tests, in which he was nearly out for a king pair on debut. He is not certain to have a test career, such has been the squad selection cycle in Pakistani cricket with picking guys for a few tests from way left field.... in 12 months time he could be another 4 tester who is dropped never to return......

On the flipside, he does this, he gets a UK passport, renounces his international career and joins county cricket for a better wage as a domesticated player, when considering the figures of Aamers earnings for Pakistan it wouldnt take much for a county to up his wage, then sits out another ten-fifteen years as a good county pro and makes a comfortable living.All this while escaping the inner turmoil of Pakistani cricket.

Now I wonder what may have tempted him to potentially seek asylum?

Until he uncovers details that lead to solid progress in this case, or to those in the team involved, I wont believe this is true! I mean who is to say he isnt involved, and this is an attempt to cover his tracks?

Your whole answer is based on assumption that somehow he knew he wasnt going to long enough in team which I have no idea where you got from.

[Aidan11]

This could have been a chance for the PCB to get to the bottom of the match fixing that seems to blight Pakistan cricket. Instead they throw mud at Haider and sweep it under the carpet. If they are not careful they could end up being thrown out of international cricket. It will get to the stage where spectators won't trust what they see and that would be bad for cricket. It almost got to that stage when they were playing the ODI series over here.