ACCORDING to media reports, officials of the IPL have banned five players after match-fixing allegations which the BCCI will now investigate. The Indian parliament also condemned the match-fixing in the IPL and demanded a fair investigation. Only a year ago IPL founder Lilyat Modi lost his position after serious allegations of corruption. The reality is that due to commercialisation, investment of black money and match-fixing scandals the game of cricket is passing through a critical stage of its history.

In spite of some efforts, the ICC has failed to control match-fixing incidents in international cricket. Observers believe that investment of black money has increased in competitions like the IPL’s.

Now bookies are ruling over cricket grounds. Players who are involved in match-fixing are getting huge amounts of money as a reward. Several big names of cricket lost their reputation after involvement in match-fixing scandals. Cricket’s biggest scandal was discovered in 2000 when former South African captain and national hero Hansie Cronje lost his reputation and career after match-fixing allegations.

Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja were also found guilty of match-fixing and were banned from playing cricket. Recently three Pakistani star players, including one former captain, were released from a British jail after spot-fixing.

KHAWAJA UMER FAROOQ Jeddah