Cricket is a sport that is beloved by many around the world. It is a sport that is steeped in history and tradition, and one that has provided some of the most thrilling moments in all of sports. Unfortunately, cricket has also been embroiled in its fair share of scandal, particularly when it comes to match-fixing. Match-fixing is when a player or players conspire to manipulate aspects of a game for betting purposes. This can be anything from something as small as fixing the number of runs scored in an over, to something as significant as fixing the outcome of an entire match. Match-fixing is considered to be one of the biggest threats to the integrity of cricket, and it has led to some major scandals throughout the history of the sport. Here are 5 of the biggest match-fixing scandals in cricket history that changed the game in multiple ways.
1. Pakistan’s No-Ball Spot-Fixing
In 2010, a major spot-fixing scandal rocked the cricket world when it was revealed that members of the Pakistan national cricket team were involved in fixing no-balls during a Test match against England. Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, and Mohammad Amir were all caught up in the scandal and were subsequently banned from cricket for 10 years, 7 years, and 5 years respectively. The scandal resulted in a huge loss of faith in Pakistani cricket, and brought about major changes in how cricket is governed at an international level.
2. India’s Indulgence In Match-Fixing
Although Pakistan may have been at the centre of the 2010 spot-fixing scandal, it is not the only cricketing nation to be involved in match-fixing. In 2000, it was revealed that several members of the Indian national cricket team, including then captain Mohammad Azharuddin, were involved in fixing matches. Azharuddin was banned from cricket for life as a result of his involvement, while other players received lesser bans. The scandal led to a major shakeup in Indian cricket, and changes in the way cricket is governed at an international level.
3. IPL’s Infamous Spot-Fixing
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a Twenty20 cricket tournament that is considered to be the biggest and most lucrative cricket tournament in the world. In 2013, the tournament was hit by a spot-fixing scandal when three players from the Rajasthan Royals team were arrested for their involvement in fixing matches. The scandal caused a major stir in the cricket world and led to changes in the way the IPL was governed.
4. Mohammad Azharuddin’s Part In Match-Fixing
As mentioned above, Mohammad Azharuddin was banned from cricket for life in 2000 after it was revealed that he was involved in match-fixing. However, this was not the only time Azharuddin was accused of being involved in fixing matches. In 1996, Azharuddin was again accused of fixing matches, this time in the Ranji Trophy, India’s domestic cricket tournament. Azharuddin was cleared of all charges in this instance, but it led to more questions being raised about his involvement in match-fixing.
5. Hansie Cronje – The Man With An Appetite
Hansie Cronje was a South African cricket captain who was considered to be one of the best cricketers in the world. In 2000, Cronje was caught up in a match-fixing scandal that rocked the cricket world. Cronje admitted to accepting money from bookmakers to fix matches, and as a result, he was banned from cricket for life. The scandal led to changes in the way cricket is governed at an international level, and Cronje’s involvement in match-fixing remains one of the biggest scandals in cricket history.
