Sex. Drugs.Scandal. Sensationalism. That's how The Sun, a daily tabloid in the UK manages to maintain and ocassionally experience an increase in its circulation. The latest, 'lets whip the Pakistani boys around because they have got it coming'. Three weeks ago, three young cricketers who were alleged to have been involved in a betting scam were sent home. The very public investigation into whether they are indeed guilty is underway and well, recent findings imply that they are not all that innocent. Facts, alright. But now just when the Pakistan cricket team thrashes England in the third one day International in the Natwest series, The Sun allges that there was a 'scoring pattern' that appeared at certain stages of the match that matched the prior knowledge they had. Exactly what the suspected pattern was, is yet to be revealed. Ofcourse, The Sun also went on to confirm rather quickly that none of the British players were involved in this in anyway. Coincidentally, The Sun is part of the same Group of newspapers as News of the World who broke the betting scam story.
You have got to be kidding right?
Its the word of a tabloid newspaper versus Pakistani cricketers fresh out of a scandal, but still. Umar Gul took 6 wickets, gave away only 42 runs in his 10 overs. Pakistan scored 242 runs for England to chase. Are these 'patterns' possible to fix??? We beat England by 23 runs. So we could have beaten them by anywhere between 22 and 1. Where is the pattern here? Even more ridiculous is that the newest allegations are splattered all over the slightly more respected Bristish Media like the BBC and The Guardian.
Is the British media and those pulling the strings trying to test how far they can take this? Or is it simply a campaign that has gained momentum to dis-credit Pakistani cricket for good? And why would they do this, you may ask.
1. Because they can. 2. Why the hell not?
Am I angry? Sure. Mostly at the first three lads who dragged Pakistani cricket in this direction and suceeded in labeling every present & future young talented cricketer wearing a green shirt 'corrupt and a greedy pig just waiting to throw it all away to make a quick buck' and at the British media & cricket authorities for launching sharply into a smear campaign without ANY substantiated proof... especially in this second round.
The Guardian yesterday reports 'Andy Flower, the England team manager, agreed with suggestions that the revelations have damaged relations between his team and the tourists. "I don't really want to go into detail on that but of course things like this will affect the relationship between the sides."
After the allegations in the News of the World three weeks ago the ICC does not wish to appear to be behind the game. The ICC even considered trying to get Friday's ODI cancelled as the stands were filling up with spectators. Its attitude this time is bullish even though the allegations seem to be far harder to substantiate than those that surfaced during the Lord's Test.'
Another win for the International media against Pakistan.
The games continue. Two of the Five ODIs left are still to be played out. And whether Pakistan wins or loses it does'nt matter, right? Because, in everyone's minds 'they would have fixed it either way.' I hope and pray this is proven wrong, especially for the sake of the game and how much it is loved, respected and revered in Pakistan.
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