The chairman of the National Assembly’s standing committee on sports feels that Pakistan deliberately lost to Australia so that India would be knocked out of the Champions Trophy and then, for good measure, threw the match against New Zealand. Not content with this preposterous statement, he has reportedly summoned Pakistan cricket’s top brass to explain their position. The Sindh sports minister’s imagination is even more vivid, conjuring up devious deals between Indian bookies and the umpires who stood in Pakistan’s semi-final against New Zealand. The MNA and the minister, who is also a member of the PCB’s governing board, have both levelled serious charges that border on libel. Where’s the evidence, even a shred of it? Little wonder that these claims have been rubbished by the ICC and Pakistan’s captain and coach, as well as an Australian batsman who was out there in the middle when it was all happening.
Maybe the parliamentarian ignored the last 10 overs of the Australia match, which we were poised to lose by a significant margin. Pakistan bowled an immaculate line and length and, fielding with vigour, came excruciatingly close to an improbable victory. That game produced one of the most thrilling finishes in recent ODI history and gave the beleaguered limited-overs format a much-needed shot in the arm. As for the Sindh sports minister, he needs to be reminded that a team that plays badly is unlikely to win the match.
Yes, the umpiring in the semi-final was substandard and crucial decisions went against Pakistan. But umpires make mistakes and to suggest they were bought by Indian bookies is ludicrous. Where’s the proof? The Pakistan team, which was not expected to make it past the group stage, deserves praise for reaching the semi-finals. If anybody has any explaining to do — possibly before a court of law — it is those who are hurling accusations, not the cricketers.
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