James McKeown
Pakistan betting scandal: Are we really surprised
September 8th 2010 03:09
Since the allegations of fixing matches have arisin and players shown to be performing badly in return for money. It has also arisen that the 'game that couldn't be lost' in Sydney may have been thrown so that they could collect large payments. But are we really surprised?
Watching the Sydney test earlier this year it was the general consenous that Pakistan had lost the match not Australia winning the test. There was no majical performance. no unhuman feat that swayed the game Australia's way. There was no Shane Warne incerdiable spell of bowling that influenced the game. It was in fact all the errors of the Pakistan team that contributed to the loss.
Now those errors are being called into question, and in my view rightly so. Kamran akmal who couldn't catch a cold in the middle of winter dropped a heap of chances at crucial stages of the match. While he may not be the world's best keeper he is still a world class keeper. Watching the footage it almost looks as if he intends to drop them.
Even their chase of the small total left a lot to be desired. They threw wickets away and never looked to be going for the target. While not all players were part of it, but they still may have known about the others throwing the game. This may have affected their performance, thinking that no matter how well i go we may still lose the game because of the others.
There are no winners in all of this either, those who are found guilty will have that on their record for the rest of their life. Look at Hansie Cronje, he was one of the most respected players in the world but he will be forever remembered for match fixing. As well those who played against them and had good games may start to question their own ability.
The other big loser out of all of this is the game it self. For all results in the not too distant future which show a team coming from behind or tight finishes may be looked upon by others as a match which was thrown. This may takes years to reverse.
Watching the Sydney test earlier this year it was the general consenous that Pakistan had lost the match not Australia winning the test. There was no majical performance. no unhuman feat that swayed the game Australia's way. There was no Shane Warne incerdiable spell of bowling that influenced the game. It was in fact all the errors of the Pakistan team that contributed to the loss.
Now those errors are being called into question, and in my view rightly so. Kamran akmal who couldn't catch a cold in the middle of winter dropped a heap of chances at crucial stages of the match. While he may not be the world's best keeper he is still a world class keeper. Watching the footage it almost looks as if he intends to drop them.
Even their chase of the small total left a lot to be desired. They threw wickets away and never looked to be going for the target. While not all players were part of it, but they still may have known about the others throwing the game. This may have affected their performance, thinking that no matter how well i go we may still lose the game because of the others.
There are no winners in all of this either, those who are found guilty will have that on their record for the rest of their life. Look at Hansie Cronje, he was one of the most respected players in the world but he will be forever remembered for match fixing. As well those who played against them and had good games may start to question their own ability.
The other big loser out of all of this is the game it self. For all results in the not too distant future which show a team coming from behind or tight finishes may be looked upon by others as a match which was thrown. This may takes years to reverse.
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