Daily Times

Sir: The Indian Premier League (IPL) has banned five players because of match fixing allegations. The Indian parliament also condemned match fixing in the IPL and demands a fair investigation. Only a year ago, the IPL founder, Lilyat Modi lost his position after serious allegations of corruption. The reality is that commercialisation and investment of black money has made match fixing a lucrative business. So far, the ICC has failed to control match fixing in international cricket. Bookies are ruling the cricket grounds. Players involved in match fixing get huge amounts of money for collaborating in the dirty game. Several big names in cricket lost their reputations by being involved in match fixing scandals. The biggest match fixing scandal of cricket was discovered in 2000 against former South African captain and national hero, Hansie Cronje. Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja, found guilty of match fixing, were banned from playing cricket. Recently three Pakistani star players lost their careers to spot fixing. Though people say that players coming from the lower middle class get easily motivated toward match fixing, it is time for the managers of international cricket to find a solution to it. Instead of just punishing players, bookies should also be taken to task to bring the message home.

KHAWAJA UMER FAROOQ

Jeddah,

Saudi Arabia