The headquarters of cricket ICC, International Cricket Council is so much strict to follow their rules and regulations. As a result, they’re investigating all issues of the cricket thoroughly if there is any report. This strictness made some top bans in cricket match while performing illegal activities. But, the controversies surrounding cricket spoils the attractiveness of ‘the gentleman’s game’ over the years though. And match-fixing is one of the ugliest stains in it. Over and over again, match-fixing allegations against the cricketers surface taking shame to the game’s spirit. Every country’s cricketers have involvement in this nasty act – from Indian to Pakistani and even so many South African – go behind this issue.
Although this post is about top bans of International Cricket Council for the match-fixing issue we’ll try to draw a scratch on the entire situation so that you can understand clearly. For example, this content will discuss what match-fixing is and about how cricket match gets fixed. Because these points relate the cricket match as it comes to the matter of match-fixing.
Table of Content
- What is Match Fixing in International Cricket Council?
- How to fix a cricket match?
- Top 7 Banned Cricketers for Match Fixing
What is Match Fixing in International Cricket Council?
According to the Cambridge Dictionary & Thesaurus, match-fixing is a – “dishonest activity to make sure that one team wins a particular sports match”. Basically, the dishonest activity is receiving money or similar benefits from a party or syndicate. On the other hand, match-fixing is the matter of taking money to sacrifice one’s talent. Because the fixers select the top rank and brilliant cricketers who they can change the game. This is one of the top restricted activities in the game of cricket. If someone involves in it and gets proven, he/she must face various types of punishments from ICC. Even they could get life-banned for match-fixing and there are many examples, such as India’s Azharuddin, Pakistan’s Saleem Malik, and so many. If you’re interested, you can see the list of all country’s cricketers here.
How a cricket match gets fixed?
Although the above description was at match level, the match-fixing happens for even some small milestones in the match. As a player who hardly ever gets out in a certain way will be unfair to get out by the syndicate or bookie who gets a big pie by fixing on the same. Also, the fixing happens during the match and when virtual money exchanges. Now, let’s see how a cricket match gets fixed.
As a Bowler: A bowler, who familiar with the economy, bowls a wrong line constantly or frequently bowls to a batsman’s strength. Also, he/she bowls too many no-balls and wide when the match is near to wins.
As a Batsman: Batsman even plays bad shots after getting a life after a drop-catch and. But, when does not be successful in getting out; make sure his stumps uprooting while playing away from the line. He can try to take runs without looking at the eyes of partner batman. Also, he ignores the signal from the other end’s batsman. Intentionally blocking one end and taking ones of the last or fifth deliveries of an over when the other batsman is in taking good runs.
As an Umpire: When an umpire lifts his fingers immediately after appeal but the same umpires acting in just the opposite manner for the other team. For example, he is turning down the appeals for valid appeals of the wicket.
Top 7 Banned Cricketers for Match Fixing
This is the game of cricket where the folks like to see it with a great interest. But, here are four degrees of offenses along with the suitable punishments for exactly the same. Since match-fixing deems to life ban to get some amount of matches as level four offenses that come with a ranges prohibition penalty. More than 22 cricketers get a ban for over 16 years because of match-fixing. So, let’s see some of them why and how they get the penalties.
Mohammad Azharuddin, India
One of the star batsmen of Team India who was debut in 1984-1985, Azharuddin, also was the 1990’s captain of Indian cricket team. From 334 ODIs and 99 test matches, he secures respectively 9,378 and 6,216 runs. At the end of his cricketing career and was guilty of match-fixing. This is because he gets the ban in 2000 for life. But, his ban lifts in 2006.
Saleem Malik, Pakistan
The former Pakistani cricketer, Saleem Malik who plays from 1981 to 1999 plays 283 ODIs and 103 test matches for the country. But, he gets the suspension from cricket as he accuses of match-fixing and gets the life ban from all types of crickets. His last performance was in 1999 but hands a ban as a result of Justice Qayam inquiry in May 2000.
Hansie Cronje, South Africa
Hansie Cronje is one of the South African cricketers and was the captain of the team in the 1990’s. He plays 188 ODIs and 68 test matches for his country. He was in the South African team in 1992 world cup cricket. But, sadly, Delhi Police discovers that they had recorded conservation between Sanjay Chawla and Cronje over match-fixing allegations on 7th April 2000. As a result, Cronje ban from playing cricket after an inquiry by the King Commission,
Marlon Samuels, West Indies
A nice cricketer of the West Indies, Marlon Samuels charges with match-fixing allegations. He finds guilt in giving out team information to the bookies to the 1st ODI between West Indies and India on Jan 21, 2007. The International Cricket Council enforces a two-year ban for receiving money in 2008 after hearing the matter. After returning to international cricket on 9th May 2010, he plays crucial roles in helping West Indies to win two ICC World T20 titles.
Maurice Odumbe, Kenyan
Maurice Odumbe is a famous Kenyan cricketer who plays his first ODI against Bangladesh in 1990. In World Cup 1996, he played a key role in defeating West Indies. Odumbe investigates by International Cricket Council following allegations of match-fixing in March 2004. He charges guilty of getting money from bookmakers as a result gets banned from cricket for 5 years.
Herschelle Gibbs, South Africa
An excellent South African batsman plays for his country. He plays 248 One day international and 90 test matches for South Africa. Moreover, he plays for South Africa in the cricket world cup of 1996, 1999, 2003 and 2007. Gibbs involves in the match-fixing outrage with former captain Hansie Cronje who offered him $ 15,000 to score less than 20 runs in a series 3rd ODIs. As he met the Indian police over the match-fixing scandal as a result, he bans for six months.
Ajay Jadeja, India
Ajay Jadeja was not only a brilliant cricketer but best fielder in his time. A terrible middle-order batsman for Indian team plays regularly between 1992 and 2000. He plays 15 test matches and 196 ODIs in his career. But, his all cricketing successes were gloomy when he bans for 5 years from cricket.
In the conclusion, you can notice that match-fixing would be an easy thing to do. But, it’s punishing results go for long-term; even it can demolish the carrier of a cricket. We have so many examples of this concern. Besides, after coming back from the ban, no one exists for a long time. So, under International Cricket Council, there is no chance for the cricketers to fix a match and continue their career. Besides, a famous and popular cricketer becomes a villain when he involves in the match-fixing.
