Mohali match: Doubts are ‘fixed’
Published: Mar 31, 2011 23:55 Updated: Mar 31, 2011 23:56
MUMBAI: The defeat of Pakistan at the hands of its arch-rival India in the semifinals of the Cricket World Cup (CWC) in Mohali on Wednesday has sent the rumor-mill into overdrive, with several cricketers and betting punters claiming that it was a one-sided match and match-fixing had definitely played a role.
“How else could a good Pakistani bowler like Umar Gul have allowed India’s opening batsman Virender Sehwag to smash him for fours and sixes?” queried cricket enthusiast Mubin Khan of Dadar suburb. “And why did Afridi continue with Gul when the latter was proving expensive, especially when he gave 21 runs in a single over?”
Suresh Bhagwat, a human resources manager in a multinational company in Andheri, agreed, saying Pakistan must have thrown the game.
“Forget Gul being smashed all around, what about the four easy catches of Tendulkar that they dropped? The catch the experienced Pakistani cricketer Younis Khan floored of Tendulkar was just shocking. Later Younis did not perform with the bat either. This clearly indicates the match was fixed.”
Ravi Batliwala, a transport contractor, suggested that they deliberately played poor shots. “The Pakistani fielding was extremely bad — worse than their bowling and batting. Their middle batting just caved in. All the cricketers played as they were in a drama. Several of the Pakistani cricketers perhaps played deliberate poor shots, including the one by Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi.”
Iqbal Konkani, a fish merchant in Dongri suburb, said: “Look at the way Misbah batted. He did not score more than eight runs in 12 overs and was playing defensive shots. Even TV commentators were screaming as to why he was not going out and hitting when the required rate was climbing to as high as 12 per over. This reminded me of a former Pakistani cricketer Mudassar Nazar who batted the whole day and scored no more than 20 runs. And Misbah hit one or two fours in the final over. What does this all point to?”
Anniruddh Deshpande, a cricketing coach at the Oval Grounds in downtown Mumbai, said: “I really did not understand the logic of the Pakistani captain of not availing the batting power-play when it was required badly, between the 40th and 45th over. Why was it not taken when it is availed between the 45th and 50th over without being asked? Even the TV commentators were surprised by this. And why did the Pakistani players play bad shots, including Afridi? Misbah was perhaps deliberately not playing his shots till the last over. This gives credence to doubts about the match.”
Even the political right-wingers weighted in, with the aging and sick Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray saying he was happy that “India inflicted a shameful defeat on Pakistan.”
He said that India’s victory meant that the “ugly feet of the Pakistanis would not touch the soil of Mumbai,” in the Cricket World Series Final on Saturday.
Comments
KASHIF YOUNUS
Apr 1, 2011 11:57
Report abuseBut one thing is clear that Pakistan allowed India to win this match.
in my opinion some players Younus,Misbah and Umar should be questioned.
Supreme court of Pakistan should take soumoto notice and try to find out the fact and bring black and white in front of Nation.
DEDALUS
Apr 1, 2011 12:00
Report abuseNITIN
Apr 1, 2011 12:01
Report abuseReally feels pity on ppl publishing such baseless news that too by media without any ideologies
KHAN
Apr 1, 2011 12:02
Report abuseAIK
Apr 1, 2011 12:02
Report abuseThey must realize that Pakistan played well but India keep the things under controlled and easy won the game ... dropping catch .. bad over by Gul is a part of game and it can happen in any match ....
VIJAY GOWDA
Apr 1, 2011 12:02
Report abuseMOHAMED TALIB
Apr 1, 2011 12:07
Report abuseMOHIB SIDIQUI
Apr 1, 2011 12:07
Report abuseRAJIV
Apr 1, 2011 12:08
Report abuseMANA
Apr 1, 2011 12:14
Report abuseThe captain Mr. Afraid got angry when he listen the interview with Press brefore starting the Match. On the other hand Pakistani rival media were making fun of Indian Team and India in all the channels. Instead of concentrating on their players activities.
India might have not win the Match, but, sure there is somthing behind the screen their performance was very bad which i have never seen before, If was surprise they couldn't score 260 in 50 overs.
But, most of the Indians says since MS. VEENA MALIK'S good wishes were with Indian team so we won it.
Now it's the responsibility of PCB to find out what was the deal behind the screen.
Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray hates Pakistani people and Pakistan because they send the Terrorists of 26/11 to India to kill the innocent people where more then 166 people got RAW killed including the British, American, Israeli and Indian VIPs. Not only Bal Thackeray Hates Pakistanis even all Indians will hate Pakistani people because, indian people has good co-existence since the attach, people started hating each other.
Still No Pakistani will regret for Slaughtering the innocent civilians. People can view the clips on youtube by selecting "Exclusive: The Kasab Confession Part - 4" there are more then 17 clips loaded.
PITY PAKISTAN
Apr 1, 2011 12:28
Report abuseIf sehwag played better game than omar gul what is wrong, why do you forget wahab riyaz then, who has taken 5 wickets, the same guy has been banged by Indians in srilanka in Asia cup i believe 8 overs 80 runs something.
Two teams played and a better team on that day WON.
Pakistan has done great job by restricting India for 260, every body thought India would score 320+. Was it not an achievement, Pakistan simply choked on the big occasion.
Now the Heros before Wednesday have become Villans and People are screaming. shame on you. shame on this report,guy, shame shame
DR. ZAF
Apr 1, 2011 12:28
Report abuseSAFI H. JANNATY
Apr 1, 2011 12:30
Report abuseIf there were to be a slight truth in such baseless allegations, India would have scored over 300 runs. If the people who made such reckless statement knew, more betting was involved on Sachin completing his century and Pakistan would have allowed him to score hundred
In the interest of the game, let us stop tarnishing the names of the team and players
ASHAD ALI
Apr 1, 2011 13:40
Report abuseEXPAT
Apr 1, 2011 17:15
Report abusePoor guy or girl thinks he is making us feel bad?
Dude .. I am sure Pakistanis dont give a damn to what you think and thats besides the point of you having no life -_-.
My Dad is the vice president of IKEA corporation and almost 99 indians serve him and he has a team of equally high professional Pakis with him.
Mana my poor friend you go serve Saudis what you are really good at?
Nobody respects you
Not even Hindus respect you
you suck Brutally
RAYMOND DAVIS
Apr 1, 2011 17:18
Report abuseALSAHDIQ
Apr 1, 2011 18:30
Report abuseMORPHEUS
Apr 1, 2011 18:32
Report abuseBUT not for the MONEY
but for the FUTURE of the country
Heck, we have done something similar for Bangladesh to become a test playing nation
Now through cricket, the two countries can start peace dialogues again
Gul. , Afridi, Misbah, and Yunus played their part.
The rest of the team probably didnâ™t know. Hafeez and Wahab tried their best. They were the ones actually trying to win and playing the game like a True Semi Final it was. Did anyone miss the enthusiasm; will to fight and loosing gracefully in the end?
The plot was to get the best pace baler involved, get the captain and the two senior players on the same page and then execute the plan
So, it was Gul who kept bowling leg side balls with an off side field and then Afridi continuing with him, and then the dropped catches to make sure that they get to decent total
When it came to batting, making sure that they waste balls, not take power play when actually needed, and make it harder for the new batsmen
Pakistanis should look at this as a blessing in disguise as it probably averted a harsh political reply from Indians
INDIANS DIDNâ™T WIN (THEY KNOW IT).
PAKISTANIS GIFTED AWAY THE MATCH
XPLOSIVE
Apr 1, 2011 18:35
Report abuseAMIN
Apr 1, 2011 20:54
Report abuseDR.GOPINATH
Apr 1, 2011 21:11
Report abuseSAKAZMI
Apr 1, 2011 22:27
Report abuseTHUNDERBOLT
Apr 1, 2011 22:30
Report abuseTASIN JUNAIDI
Apr 1, 2011 22:31
Report abuseMy two cents to all sad pakistanis, "Just chill and move on".. Either you dont play any matches with India or understand loosing is also one of the outcomes in any match..
MUNAF
Apr 1, 2011 22:38
Report abuseAMIN
Apr 1, 2011 22:40
Report abuseI'm a born Indian, a responsible citizen and pure at heart when it comes to national support and I am not bound to prove that cos I'm patriotic for myself and for my Allah. But I must tell you, you never know whats cooking among the top leaders of Indian government in any regime. India is nice country with an exemplary blend of religions and culture but people (who have authority) there, have evolved as dacoit, murderers, scandalous and scammers. India as a government has excellent skills in presenting itself in front of the international community but their presentation is far away from the truth. Only the common public of India (regardless of their religion) are good. They have every features to feature as a nice gentlemen but don't talk about the politicians and leaders. They are corrupt and born liers. They have set benchmarks in corruption and crime. The lawmakers are the lawbreakers. You must be surprised to know that the so called arch-rivals (India & Pakistan) are actually friends at government levels (unofficially). You will be more surprised if I say there were some of the Pakistani leaders in power who were actually the Indian representatives. There was one Pakistani leader (name withheld) who when executed in Pakistani, resulted in a communal, one sided, government supported killing of Muslims. You will be left stunned if I say some of the Indian representatives sent secretly to Pakistan after division, were caught spying for India and were imprisoned in Pakistan. But when they returned back to India, they were warmly received by the Indian government, provided with royal bungalow and power. One of them is in the cabinet even. These are some of the facts which will never be included in Indian history. But facts will remain a fact.
KASHMIRI PUNDIT
Apr 1, 2011 23:07
Report abuseThey will never learn in life.
INDIAN
Apr 1, 2011 23:12
Report abuseASHRAF
Apr 1, 2011 23:15
Report abuseXYZ
Apr 1, 2011 23:24
Report abuseHYDER
Apr 1, 2011 23:46
Report abuseSHAMIM UDDIN
Apr 1, 2011 23:49
Report abuseAllah knows better what is behind their behaviour in the game.
Allah help Pakistan...!!!
INDIAN EXPAT
Apr 1, 2011 23:50
Report abuseM. MOOSA
Apr 2, 2011 11:00
Report abuseMANA
Apr 2, 2011 11:17
Report abuseYou both doesn't looks like Muslims, sure you are in favour of ISRAEL. If you are a Muslim, you should say the Truth, that this is right and this is wrong irrespective of religion, nationality or favouratism. Islam teaches that.
Why does Bal thakray hates Pakistani pepole? You open the history of India / Pakstan war, all the 3 times pakistan started War on India. India never ever started first.
What israel does in Palastine the same thing Pakistan does in Pakistan. Please look this video clip "Balochistan and Kashmir" on you tube. More then 24,000 Muhajir Muslims were killed by Pakistani Military between 1992 to 2002. Open the news papers and see the interview in Geo News of Pakistan on video clip. Or ask Mr. Altaf Hussain who is in London.
If you have any relatives in KARACH just ask them, what the govt. is doing with the Muhajirs??
Do you people still like if your Parents got killed in 26/11 Taj Hotel in Bombay??? What sympathy do you have for those who got killed by islamic Republic of Pakistani Terrorists? Are they not human beings? Still you are supporting Pakistan? Did you see the Pakistani Media how they respect the Terrorist? They say MR. AJMAL AMIR KASSAB.
The Pakistani media is telling him "MR." . More people in Pakistan converting to different religion at a rapid rate. All Muslims are killing to Muslims. Is this we pray for the peace in this world?? Pakistan is completely lost. Nothing islamic in pakistan. We never prayed our neigboubrs to be in troube and never expected they will come in wild with gund in our country.
In Pakistan 97% are Muslims, but the world say Pakistan is IT (International Terrorist) Country. As far as this match fixing is concerned, everybody suspects it might have FIXED. You cannot force somebody to accept which he doubts.
@EXPAT, if those Indians are not working let your father terminate them and bring Pakistani staff or hire Saudi Staff. In India we give work who works in examplary manner. Your father is not INGVAR KAMPRAD also an expatriate same like his staff. If you go to London, you see many Pakistanis working under the Rival Bangladeshi Owners Fast Food Center in Brick Lane.
PROUD TO B INDIA MUSLIM
Apr 2, 2011 13:18
Report abuseROHAN
Apr 2, 2011 13:37
Report abuseKASHMIRI PUNDIT
Apr 2, 2011 23:39
Report abuseBut who cares.......
KHAN
Apr 3, 2011 11:56
Report abuseProud to be Indian Muslim and proud to be Indian held Kashmiri Muslims. Remember when Indian security forces, intelligent agencie,s agents, Hindu extremest degrade your elders.
kidnap and rape your mothers, sisters, daughters then murder them and throw their bodies in jungals,where wild animals eat them.
kidnap your youngsters, tortured them, killed them, jailed them.
Slaughter your children.
Remember demolishing of Babari Masjid,
Remember Gujrati,s anti Muslims tiots, slaughtering and burning of person of Muslims.
Samjhota express fire and many many other tragic events, which can not explain here.
We the Pakistani are happy that the fore father of people like you did not came in Pakistan to make it dirty.
We don,t need traitor. Because too many traitors are already living in Pakistan, giving too much harm to Muslim Umma and especially Pakistan.
NEEL
Apr 3, 2011 12:50
Report abusePakistanis are losers, and that too a very bad losers. instead of accepting the defeat with grace and appreciating the good performance of Indian players in the high voltage match. They pop up with conspiracy theories as usual.
The SL captain rightly said that for this strong Indian batting lineup even 300-350 is also not a big enough target!
RAM
Apr 3, 2011 12:59
Report abuseSKS
Apr 3, 2011 13:11
Report abuseDESERTDULER
Apr 3, 2011 13:24
Report abuseM. CHOWDHURY
Apr 3, 2011 14:38
Report abuseIt appeared to me that Pakistani batsmen were scared of winning the match and tried all possible ways and means not to win it.
1. Younus Khan and Razzaq appeared to be teenage Amateurs standing in front of mighty bowlers. They initially tried to waste time and later decided to suicide by playing poor shots deliberately.
2. Misbah appeared to have signed contract to take Pakistan to such a situation, from where even a miracle can not help them to win. Once he was sure of losing the match, he started taking the shots to complete his fifty.
3. It appeared that Pakistanis tried desperately to facilitate a century by Tendulkar, although they failed ultimately in their effort.
4. t was clear from the face of Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi that he was not looking for a win. Even after their loss he looked relaxed.
I had to console my weeping daughter by saying that she should not be feeling bad for such people who betrayed their own nation and millions of well wishers like us outside Pakistan.
MK
Apr 3, 2011 15:43
Report abuseKHAN
Apr 3, 2011 15:46
Report abuseMR DESERTDULER. I think it is sufficient that you are earning you bread and butter from Pakistan,s brother country. How much you feel prejudice in the people of Pakistan. As I mentioned before. In game one win and one loss. I watch full final match. After 35 overs the crowd start slogans in favour of Indian team. I also remined you that in the semi final, upto last over your crowd was not sure that India will win the match. There were 6 balls and thirty runs. After 2 ball of the last over, spectaters left their seats, recollect their senses, stand up and start shouting in favour of Indian team. Before this their throat were dry, faces were white and painties were wet. Commentator said. Now the crowd sure that India will win the match. If not belief on me. Please get recording. Remaining to Summery of matches played in India and Pakistan in India. 31 matches are played. 17 Pakistan won. 10 India won. 4 no result. 5 matches played between India and Pakistan in world cup. India won all. Can be confirm please. Big does not means big in teritory and in Population. Big mean, big in character. Thank you.
KASHMIRI PUNDIT
Apr 3, 2011 21:08
Report abuseRemember Mr Qadri is reading your comment.
KHAN
Apr 3, 2011 22:16
Report abuseNow towards money. To earn money by hook or by crook is yours motto. GOD willing Pakistani players are well paid by PCB then Indian players. Can be verified by independent sources. You try too much to keep the Pakistan out of Cricket. But failed. All of your conspiracies will be back to you. Take care your self.
INTELLECTUAL MIND
Apr 4, 2011 08:45
Report abuseCHAMPION
Apr 4, 2011 08:46
Report abusewhat is wrong with you? You are abusing Indians? It only goes on to show how jealous you are of us Indians. You say PCB will give more money - then why was even the Pakistan Government crying from rooftops when no Pakistani players got selected for IPL. The cricket board gets money from Television rights, and this reflects on the country's economy. If you are unaware India is world's 4th largest economy (by Purchasing Power Parity) and Pakistan accounts for foreign aid in it's country's budget!! There are more muslims in India than in Pakistan. India is a secular country and world's largest democracy. We have muslim players and not long back even our team's captain was a muslim. There is no bias, if you are talented you get equal opportunities. So trying to portray yourself as "holier than thou" is a statement in vanity. Unfortunately when they sent you for a medical check-up, they cannot check your mind. Tell me a single field in which your country can claim superiority over India. You can cry and curse, but the fact remains INDIA IS THE WORLD CHAMPIONS. Lastly also remember, how so much ever a "SON" grows, he can't get bigger than his "FATHER".