Imran Khan asks ICC to adopt new ways to curb match-fixing

Former Pakistan skipper Imran Khan has asked International Cricket Council (ICC) to find innovative ways to curb the evil of match-fixing, as it is extremely hard to detect and prove the offense.
Khan commented on the match-fixing a few days after former Sri Lankan captain Hashan Tillakaratne blew the whistle on corruption in cricket and alleged that Sri Lankan team has been involved in match-fixing since 1992.
The genie of match-fixing came out of the bottle, when the former Lankan skipper claimed to have crucial evidences and threatened to disclose some big names in the near future.
Pakistan’s former captain Rashid Latif also endorsed Tillakaratne’s claim and said that the fixing is a severe issue which needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Latif explained that he was sure that Tillakaratne had evidence to back his claims.
"I have no doubt he has evidence but it all depends on how things go no. If strikes a deal with Sri Lankan authorities than the matter will be brushed under the carpet as in other instances in the past," Latif said.
Analysing the situation, Imran Khan stated that he had no idea about the source of fixing and it was always tough to identify such cases.
"I have no clue whether it happens or not. People can only point it out but it`s very difficult to prove. Special measures are required to deal with the menace,” Khan said.
Khan added, "The ICC should find new ways to control it. There should be a sort of check.”
Meanwhile, Khan made it clear that when the allegations had come up for the first time in Pakistan, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should have taken serious step to control the menace.
ICC has already announced its zero-tolerance policy regarding the corruption in the game. Cricket in Pakistan has already suffered a lot due to fixing issues. Three top Pakistani cricketers, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were charged with lengthy bans after proven guilty earlier this year.
Khan further predicted that if necessary actions are not taken, the situation could get worse with every passing day.

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HASHAN TILLAKARATNE ALLEGES SRI LANKAN CRICKET OF BEING INVOLVED IN MATCH-FIXING

Former Sri Lankan captain, Hashan Tillakaratne, has jolted the cricket fraternity, claiming match-fixing has been a part of cricket in his country. He warned that the team could be in serious trouble in the near future, just like Pakistan who suffered recently in England's spot-fixing scandal.

Taking to the Lankan press, Tillakaratne stated, “I say this with responsibility. It (match-fixing) is just like a relay. I run my lap and hand over the baton to you, you complete your lap and give it to another. This is a network. No one can ever go out of it and no one can come into it. This situation was always there.”

However, the former player didn’t allege the team of fixing in the ICC World Cup 2011. He said, “I am not saying that this match (The world cup final) was fixed. But anyway match fixing is something which has been in this country over a period of time. This has spread like a cancer today.”

According to Tillakaratne, the situation has become much worse compared to the past and the reason behind it was corrupt administrators and politicians, who have remained silent for their own gains.

Tillakaratne claimed of knowing all the people involved in match-fixing and threatened to reveal some big names in the near future. He said that there was still some time to stop Sri Lanka from becoming Pakistan.

Cricket in Pakistan has also suffered a lot in the recent past due to fixing scandals. Three top cricketers, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were proved guilty of spot-fixing in January this year. They were charged with lengthy bans and heavy fines.

There were some other players questioned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over match-fixing, but were able to prove their innocence to the board. Although things appeared to be headed towards the right direction, Pakistan’s former wicketkeeper batsman Zulqarnain Haider claimed the opposite.

The 25-year-old left the team during a series against the Proteas in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and revealed later that some players were still involved in wrong doings. He didn’t take any names back then in London, but later blamed Kamran Akmal of having links with bookie

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