NEW DELHI: The 2010 Pakistan spot-fixing scandal was one of the most infamous episodes in cricket history, deeply shaking the sport’s integrity.
It occurred during Pakistan’s tour of England, specifically during the fourth Test match at Lord’s.
The scandal revolved around allegations that several Pakistani players conspired to deliberately bowl no-balls at specific moments in exchange for money.
These no-balls were not accidental mistakes but were part of a pre-arranged betting fix orchestrated by a bookmaker.
The key players involved were Pakistan’s then-captain Salman Butt, fast bowler Mohammad Asif, and the young prodigious pacer Mohammad Amir.
The players were exposed in an undercover sting operation by the News of the World, a British tabloid.
The tabloid’s investigative reporters had posed as members of a betting syndicate and recorded Mazhar Majeed, a sports agent with ties to the players, discussing the details of how and when the no-balls would be delivered.
The footage provided incontrovertible evidence of the fix.
In the fourth Test, Amir and Asif bowled deliberate no-balls at the exact moments Majeed had predicted.
Amir, the youngest of the trio, delivered one of the most glaring no-balls, overstepping by a large margin, raising eyebrows immediately.
The sting operation revealed that these specific deliveries were part of the deal arranged with Majeed for significant sums of money.
When the scandal broke, the International Cricket Council (ICC) quickly suspended the three players while investigations ensued.
Public reaction in Pakistan and worldwide was swift and harsh.
Many fans and former players expressed their deep disappointment, as the scandal tarnished Pakistan’s cricketing reputation. The betrayal was felt even more strongly because Mohammad Amir was regarded as one of cricket’s brightest young talents, with a promising future ahead of him.
In November 2011, after a high-profile trial in London, all three players were found guilty of corruption and conspiracy to accept illegal payments.
Salman Butt received a 30-month prison sentence, Mohammad Asif was jailed for a year, and Mohammad Amir, due to his age and early confession, was sentenced to six months.
Majeed was also jailed for his role as the middleman.
The scandal led to widespread condemnation and reforms in cricket, particularly in the fight against corruption.
The players faced long bans from international cricket, with Amir eventually making a comeback in 2015 after serving his suspension. Despite his return, the 2010 scandal left a permanent scar on Pakistan cricket.