Cricket Scandal Rocks International Sport: Top Players Guilty of Plotting to Cheat and Take Bribes

Strategic Insights -

CNN LONDON (CNN) -- Two top international cricket players from Pakistan, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif, have been found guilty of plotting to cheat and take bribes in a major match against England last summer. The scandal has rocked the international sport, with the two players potentially facing up to seven years in prison. A third player, Mohammad Amir, pleaded guilty to the same charges.

Key Takeaways:

  • Two top Pakistani cricketers, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif, were found guilty of plotting to cheat and take bribes in a major match against England.
  • The players were accused of spot fixing, which involves deliberately throwing parts of a game rather than the whole match.
  • The betting scam, allegedly arranged by Mazhar Majeed, earned him £150,000 (approximately $230,000).
  • The players were accused of deliberately bowling "no balls" at specific points in the game.
  • Prosecutors used audio and video recordings made secretly by the News of the World to build their case.
  • The International Cricket Council suspended the trio for periods between five to seven years.
  • The case highlights the corruption in the betting market, with estimations putting its value at between $40 billion to $50 billion dollars per year.

Statistics:

  • The betting scam allegedly earned Mazhar Majeed £150,000 (approximately $230,000).
  • The players were accused of deliberately bowling "no balls" at specific points in the game.
  • The betting market is estimated to be worth between $40 billion to $50 billion dollars per year.
  • The players face up to seven years in prison.

Sources:

  • CNN: "Pakistan cricketers guilty of plotting to cheat and take bribes"
  • The News of the World: (now defunct)
  • The International Cricket Council: "Anti-Corruption Unit"
  • Metropolitan Police: Detective Chief Superintendent Matthew Horne statement
  • News International: Spokeswoman statement