Biggest match-fixing scandals in cricket

The game of cricket is said to have been originated in South-East England. The game become nationally popular in the late 18th century, while it earned global acclamation in the 19th and 20th centuries.

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The biggest aspect of the game has been the “Spirit of the Game”, from the very beginning. Cricket also came to be known as the “Gentleman’s Game”, as the emphasis on sportsman spirit was very strong from its birth. But as cricket grew old and became popular, some ungentlemanly incidents and factors scandalized the game. One such factor was match-fixing and cricket has been guilty of the crime multiple times.

Here is a look at the top ten fixing scandals of cricket.

10. Maurice Odumbe Scandal: Maurice Odumbe was an integral part of the Kenyan team that made it to the World Cup semifinals of 2003. However, in 2004 he was banned for five years by the Kenyan Cricket Association. This was on the back of Odumbe being found guilty of accepting money from bookmakers.

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Odumbe was found guilty on 12 charges including the acceptance of US$5000 for fixing a match in Zimbabwe. The five-year ban would end his career as was believed by many, but he came to cricket in 2009.

9. Mohammad Naveed: Mohammad Naveed captained the UAE team. It was the year 2021 when Naveed along with Shaiman Anwar Butt was banned for 8 years by the International Cricket Council.

The ban came on the charge of the two being allegedly involved in fixing matches in the qualifiers of World Cup T20, 2019.

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8. Heath Streak: The veteran Zimbabwe bowler and former captain Heath Streak was banned from cricket for 8 years following charges of breaching the Anti-Corruption Code.

He was charged when he was playing the role of Zimbabwean coach from 2016 to 2018. He was charged on account that he revealed inside information of the team while knowing that it would be used for betting purposes.

7. Mohammad Ashraful: Mohammad Ashraful made quite a name for himself as an explosive batsman. However, in 2013, Ashraful was banned for 8 years from cricket by the BCB.

The ban came as a punishment for charges against him of being involved in spot-fixing and match-fixing in the 2013 edition of the Bangladesh T20 League.

6. Brendan Taylor: Brendan Taylor, the former Zimbabwean opening batsman and the captain is facing a ‘multi-year’ ban from the apex body. Brendan Taylor’s ban came after the cricketer admitted that he was blackmailed into fixing matches by an ‘Indian Businessman’ on Twitter. He failed to reveal the same to the board and was handed the ban.

5. Salim Malik: Salim Malik was the first cricketer of the 21st century who received a ban for match-fixing. Malik was banned from captaincy after a tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe. The ban came as a result of charges of taking bribes. Malik, however, cleared his name and continued playing.

4. Shane Warne and Mark Waugh: Shane Warne and Mark Waugh were two very famous names of Australian cricket in the 90s. However, the famous duo revealed the playing conditions and was charged for fixing. Later, the two players defended themselves saying that they never revealed any strategic material.

3. Mohammad Azharuddin and Other Indian Players: Mohammad Azharuddin, a prolific Indian batsman, was accused of match-fixing in 2000. Along with Azharuddin, big names of Indian cricket like Manoj Prabhakar and Ajay Jadeja also got involved in the scandal. This was one of the biggest fixing controversies of cricket. Along with them, Hansie Cronje, the South African captain’s name was also actively involved in the scandal.

2. Indian T20 League spot-fixing scandal: In 2013, the Indian T20 League was scandalized by spot-fixing controversy. Three Indian players from the Rajasthan team were arrested on charges of effecting the match at particular instances on purpose in exchange for money. Along with the players, an administrative member of the Chennai team was also found guilty. The three players were handed ‘multi-year’ bans while the two franchises of Chennai and Rajasthan were suspended from the Indian T20 league for two years.

1. Lord’s Gate: This is one of the biggest controversies of cricket. In the fourth of 2010 series test between England and Pakistan, Pakistan bowlers Mohammed Amir and Mohammed Asif were seen bowling big no balls.

Under investigation, it was found that the two bowlers and the then Pakistan captain Salman Butt took money to bowl no-balls deliberately during specific deliveries of particular overs. The incident resulted in Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt receiving a life ban from cricket. While Amir was handed a five-year ban from all forms of cricket.