What a bunch of twits (and no, that’s not Twitter talk). I’m talking about the former Pakistan players who have come out and accused past and present Australian players of engaging in fixing of cricket matches.
These allegations are so far-fetched and ludicrous it’s laughable, yet they have essentially been endorsed by the game’s governing body, the ICC.
Two days ago we switched on the morning news to discover that the ICC had launched an official investigation into the opening partnership of Shane Watson and Brad Haddin in Australia’s opening round World Cup clash against Zimbabwe.
The investigation, we learnt, was triggered by the fact the first two overs of Watson and Haddin’s opening stand yielded just five runs…”That’s it?” I hear you say. Yes, really, that’s it.
The whole basis of this official “investigation” stems from the fact that just five runs were hit in the first two overs – an event as likely in a game of cricket as finding a tin of Heinz Baked Beans and a bottle of diaretics in Shane Warne’s pantry. If the claims weren’t so laughable it would be causing a total outrage.
And speaking of Warney, wait, it gets worse. News Limited have since published an article, in which former Pakistan players are urging the ICC to investigate Shane Warne after he “predicted” a tie in the recently played England-India match at the World Cup.
That’s right, Warne deviously “tweeted” his prediction that the game would finish in a tie.
Despite the fact the comment was made with tongue planted firmly in cheek, it has been picked up on by some former Pakistani players and, in a clear sign that between them they have the collective IQ of Warney’s texting thumb, presented as grounds for another official ICC investigation.
What’s worse, is that the allegations have been “substantiated” by former Pakistan wicket-keeper and shamed match-fixing cheat, Rashid Latif – a guy with the integrity of a used-car saleman. Pot calling the kettle?
With baited breath we await the next startling revelation from this brave band of whistleblowers. Next they will be claiming that Hanse Cronje has come back from the grave and is the conspirator behind it all.
Or maybe John Elias was involved?
Stinks of a smokescreen doesn’t it.
Question is, what are these former Pakistan players and the games governing body trying to hide? Are they simply trying deflect the real issues such as the troubled state of Pakistan cricket and the political forces corroding it, or maybe they are simply trying to generate publicity for what has so far been a dour and lacklustre World Cup…
I don’t think even Warney can predict what these goons are going to come up with next.
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The Aussie needed every centimetre of his height and reach to reel that one in!
