obviously the fixing is wrong, but being offered huge sums of money to bowl no balls (which in reality would have only tiniest effect on the game) must be tempting, especially for some of the reasons you brought up.

imo the things we hear about are just the tip of the iceberg, i'm sure there's more we don't hear about and in other sports too. when you have such high sums of money involved it is inevitable there will be leeches trying to make out of others.

Maybe you can clear up a small matter but why have the British court locked up 3 pakistani residents? Do they residencies in this country?

I agree with the general point of your article. It'll be extremely difficult to have a full scaled match fixing scandal in the english Premier League. I suppose the odd player can take a silly booking, if he was paid. Will he be caught doing it, who knows.

With the silly wages beign paid in the PL, i doubt whether a financial motive will exist in bet fixing.

Gott be honest I'm not a cricket an in any way shape or form. But I understand this scandal has rocked the sport to it's very core.

Any kind of "fixing" is bang out of order and rightfully those responsible arebeing punished. As well as being underhand, "fixing" cheats the fans of the sport in question, who are the lifeblood and once that line is crossed it makes a mockery of the sport.

I remember Bruce Grobbelaar getting caught up in scandal years back and that caused waves.

Like I say, I'd be a complete liar if I said I was knowledgable about cricket, but would it be fairer to say it's easier to "fix" things in a cricket match?

That said, there are bets taken in footie on incidental things, like first throw on, foul, yellow cards etc...

Oh, and this doesn't exclude the likelyhood of any other cricketing country from partaking in match fixing. The agent and 3 pakistani cricketers were caught, red handed. But if a similar sting operation was attempted for, say India or South Africa, then they would probably un-ravel some sort of betting syndicate as well.

Top article. I like it.

I am also a British Pakistani, and thus, I have an affinity with your opinion and the reasoning behind it. I was devastated to learn about Muhammad Amir's involvement in this scandal; it was quite disgusting that the senior members of the team dragged him through the dirt, especially considering he was the most refreshing talent for Pakistan since Wasim and Waqar. This kid, in my opinion, was destined to be the greatest bowler ever.

I hope his ban is reduced, because it would literally be a great great shame that such a talent is not out there fulfilling his potential. He will have learned from his naivety, and let's hope when he comes back, he comes back strong.

As for the other two idiots, give them a lifetime ban. Muhammad Asif was over-rated and Butt was average at best.

imo amir should be let of. he's a kid for christ sake and i'm 100% sure he got influenced by those other muppets around him. i seriously do have symphaty for him. as for the other 2, well the less said the better. they were seasoned professionals who had been in the game for a fair few years, so to expect that from them is shocking. they should get hefty bans but the kid should be given a second chance.

8bithero (U2653)
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Definately agree with you there, based on courtroom evidence, there is plenty to suggest that others were involved-but there is no hardcore evidence like there is for the trio

El Capitan - from Mexico with love. (U9537)

+ APantsArsenalFan - Hadooken! Ryo Wins... Perfect! (U11422)

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Agree completely

he's a kid for christ sake and i'm 100% sure he got influenced by those other muppets around him
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How can you be 100% sure. You never met the guy.

"How can you be 100% sure. You never met the guy."

and how may you know this? me and amir could well be long time buddies. we may well have grown up together. so for you to come along and say that is very strange indeed

I don't know anything about the situation, but why were Pakistanis tried in the UK and why is match fixing an offensive associated with jail-time?

the incidents happened in England.

Spirit and Soul (U10340)
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Spot on, I should have also added that why are they being tried and prisoned here? waste of taxpayers money.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

why is match fixing an offensive associated with jail-time?
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Because you are fraudulently gaining money.

Don of JA606, what did you make of Afridi losing his captaincy earlier this year?

"How can you be 100% sure. You never met the guy."

and how may you know this? me and amir could well be long time buddies. we may well have grown up together. so for you to come along and say that is very strange indeed
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Ok let me rephrase that....

How can you be 100% certain? You're not him.

APantsArsenalFan - Hadooken! Ryo Wins... Perfect! (U11422)
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It was underserved, but inevitable. I felt, he did very well, in the sense that he took over the team at a very difficult point, and re-inspired confidence to the team, we did very well given the circumstances under his leadership, although tactically he could have been better. His issues with the PCB were completely right, but when he started to go public with the fractured relationship, it was inevitable that he would lose captaincy. Great to see him back, what did you make of his sacking?

Wenger is flyer - I understand your point about the problems being faced by the people of Pakistan, especially the regular terrorist attacks. But after all it is the government which supported terrorists for over 2 decades in order to use them for proxy wars against India and Afghanistan. And it is coming home to bite them.

Recently I went to Karachi for a 2 day visit to one of our offices. The security at the hotel I stayed in was so heavy that it looked like a military camp. Pretty scary times.

Apants Arsenal fan - so you are suggesting that length of the ban should be in line with the talent an usefulness to the team and not to the severity of the match-fixing crime. Brilliant logic

I agree that he jeopardised his captaincy by going public with his dwindling relationship with the PCB and the selectors. My mate came up with a theory that Afridi must've spoken out about the whole match-fixing palaver and the PCB didn't like it, so they demoted him. While it might be a bit far-fetched, I wouldn't put it past Afridi 'cos he was genuinely one of the more honest players in the team.

His tactics in the T20 world cup in 2009 were spot on, really nailed it that year. One of his finest moments, and one of the finest moments for us fans too! Celebrations were mental!

But he did kinda lose his way a bit in the last couple of years, and so was probably the best move him to be demoted as captain.

Apants Arsenal fan - so you are suggesting that length of the ban should be in line with the talent an usefulness to the team and not to the severity of the match-fixing crime. Brilliant logic
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Well, yes. I wouldn't call it logic, though. I'd call it common sense.... for the good of the game, of course!

Well, yes. I wouldn't call it logic, though. I'd call it common sense.... for the good of the game, of course!
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Common sense? I'm not sure you fully understand that term. I think the word you're looking for is Bias.

i think he's the one who has shown the most remorse, plus he pleaded guilty unlike the other two. i think he deserves a smaller ban.

Well, yes. I wouldn't call it logic, though. I'd call it common sense.... for the good of the game, of course!
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Common sense? I'm not sure you fully understand that term. I think the word you're looking for is Bias.

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You're entitled to your opinion, old chap.