SPOT-FIXING IN PAKISTAN’S TOUR OF ENGLAND

SPOT-FIXING IN PAKISTAN’S TOUR OF ENGLAND

SPECULATIONS

The fourth test match in the ongoing Pakistan’s tour of England has thrown up some shocking facts to say the least. Some of the facts have already cropped up during the investigation process but some are still in the dark. Here are some of the possibilities in the scandal:
WHAT WE KNOW: Mazhar Majeed – the Pakistani agent spot fixed two no balls for certain which is evident from the videos that were surfaced by the British newspaper News of the World – one that was delivered by Mohammed Aamer on the first ball of the third over and the other by Mohammed Asif on the last ball of the 10th over. The actual match videos show them overstepping by at least a feet.

SPECULATION: Now in the course of the innings Mohammed Asif bowled a total of 2 no balls whereas Mohammed Aamer bowled 4 no balls and 8 more were bowled by Wahab Riaz. Mohammed Aamer bowled the no balls in (2.1, 18.3, 88.3, 112.3) overs during the England innings. According to the video proof – in the first two no balls he overstepped by at least a foot. Now the question is whether the third and fourth no balls were spot fixed or not as it adds a whole new dimension because after 38.4 overs England were tottering at 102/7 and if the third no ball was indeed fixed then it gives a clear hint to the fact that Pakistan manipulated the match so that it lasts at least till the 89th over which is a very subtle shift from spot fixing to match fixing.

POINTS THAT ADD UP TO THE SPECULATION:
1) After the fall of the 7th wicket Aamer continued for only two more overs.

2) Mohammed Aamer went off the field after the 45th over.

3) After the fall of the 7th wicket only 6 overs were bowled by Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Aamer out of the next 60.

4) The inexperienced pair of Wahab Riaz and Saeed Ajmal were given to bowl after 4 overs of the fall of the 7th wicket allowing the batsmen to settle in.

5) No introduction of Mohammed Aamer into the attack after tea which is again very surprising given the fact that he was the main strike bowler of the team.

The above points do give a hint that perhaps there was something more than spot fixing, maybe the spot fixing led to match fixing but what exactly happened only God knows or maybe Majeed knows.

Soham Sarkhel