Match-fixing spectre returns to haunt cricket again

London, May 26 (PTI) Match-fixing Wednesday reared its
ugly head again with reports claiming that an Indian
businessman had approached a county cricketer asking him to
quote "his own price" and Bangladesh captain Shakib-al Hasan
revealing getting an offer to under-perform in 2008.
Soon after a local newspaper quoted an anonymous county
player claiming that an Indian businessman had approached him
to fix one-day domestic matches, Shakib said he got a call on
the eve of Bangladesh's ODI series against Ireland in 2008,
promising him sponsorship in return for under-performance.
A report in 'The Daily Telegraph' said a player, who has
more than 10 years' experience in English cricket, was told by
the Indian businessman to quote "his own price" and that
"things are already happening in county cricket".
The player has reported the incident to authorities and
the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) would be
contacting the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACU)
on the player's behalf, the report said.
"They basically told me I could name my price for
providing them with knowledge of the result of the game and
they made me believe other counties are already involved," the
player was quoted as saying.
The player was left with the perception that if he did
not take the money then somebody else would.
"My worry with this is that there will be a situation
where two of the smaller counties play against each other in a
televised game and they could come to an agreement and make
about five times their salary from one match.
"This problem is a lot more serious than people think.
Others could be out there naming their own price. It is a
scary thought," he said.
This incident came to light at a time when police are
investigating two Essex players for alleged spot-fixing during
last season's Pro40 match between Essex and Durham.
Essex's Pakistani spinner Danish Kaneria and pacer Mervyn
Westfield were arrested but they are out on bail now.
Talking to reporters on the eve of his side's first Test
against England at Lord's, Shakib said he too was approached
in 2008 with an offer to under-perform.
"It was a long time ago, probably two-and-a-half years
ago, in our home conditions against Ireland," Shakib said.
"I didn't talk to him much because we had a team meeting
to go to, so I told him 'I'll talk to you later' and
immediately told a member of the board and the ICC guy. They
took action and after that he never called me again," he said.
"He never exactly told me he wanted me to fix a match, he
just told me he wanted to be my sponsor," added Shakib. PTI AY
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