The matchfixing saga has been one of the most long drawn and contentious in the illustrious history of the glorious game we call cricket. Although the worst has probably passed, there is still enough hanging in the air to cause concern at the headquarters of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The interim report of the ICC's anti corruption unit says, apart from India, no country has taken serious steps to tackle matchfixing, reports Dawn, a Pakistani newspaper.

The Anti Corruption Unit (ACU), headed by Sir Paul Condon, recently handed over the interim report to Lord Griffith, Chairman of the ICC's Code of Conduct Committee. The Dawn newspaper however, does not explain how it got access to a report that has not been made public as yet. In addition, the Dawn does not quote any sources.

According to the Dawn, the interim report states that countries like West Indies, South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand were not acting decisively, even though there was increasing evidence that players from these countries were involved in misdemeanors of this nature.

When Pakistan toured New Zealand recently, coach Javed Miandad alleged that matchfixing was still very much prevalent. The ICC too, seems to agree with this, if reports in the Dawn newspaper are to be believed. One must also keep in mind a couple of aspects. These allegations were made by a man who had just been sacked. Again, The Dawn is known to cut corners on occasion. Recently, the newspaper leaked a report by the Pakistan manager for the tour of New Zealand. Soon after the Dawn report went to press, the comments referred to were denied by the Fakir Aizazuddin.

What is crucial in the report is that Condon and his team have found that the fixing and betting is not driven by greed alone. The report allegedly has concluded that 'some players, umpires and officials are so deeply involved with the criminal element they cannot stop co- operating for fear of their lives and property'. This brings the underworld firmly into the picture, something that has been the worst fear of the authorities thus far.

Although it is too early to draw any conclusions, with the report only being leaked and not officially released to the public, one can be sure that it will be yet another eagerly awaited document. First, there was the King Commission report in South Africa, based on which Hansie Cronje was banned for life. Herschelle Gibbs served out a six month ban and returned to international cricket while Henry Williams was let off with a warning.

Then there was the Qayyum Report in Pakistan that found several players guilty of malpractice of the kind that involved betting and matchfixing. Salim Malik was banned for life while several other prominent cricketers were fined.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) report rocked Indian cricket, and as a direct fall out, Mohammed Azharuddin and Ajay Sharma were banned for life while Ajay Jadeja, Manoj Prabhakar and Ali Irani were banned for a period of five years.

Apart from India, Pakistan and South Africa, none of the other Test playing countries have come out with comprehensive reports on their investigations thus far. Although players like Alec Stewart of England, Brian Lara of West Indies, Mark Waugh and Shane Warne of Australia and Arjuna Rantunga and Aravinda de Silva of Sri Lanka have figured in various investigations, the matter has rested there.

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) conducted its own inquiry and declared both Warne and Waugh innocent of matchfixing. For the act of providing information to bookies, the pair was fined.

Examining the evidence, it does not seem entirely improbable that the interim report of the ICC has indeed stated what has appeared in the Dawn. The same newspaper adds that the report will be made public on May 23. When that happens, Indian cricket's administrators could be in for a pat on the back from world cricket's apex body. It may be recalled that Condon had a word of praise for the CBI inquiry and the investigation conducted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India's own watchdog K Madhavan during his visit to India last year.

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