In the eye of the storm
We look at the names who made the news in cricket's biggest scandal
Siddhartha Talya
26-Jun-2010
Players from three countries featured prominently in the match-fixing revelations of the early 2000s. In South Africa, the King Commission, headed by justice Edwin King, submitted its findings to the UCBSA and the government. In India the investigations were conducted by the Central Board of Investigation (CBI), followed by an inquiry led by K Madhavan, who was appointed by the BCCI to examine the CBI's findings. In Pakistan, where the inquiry into match-fixing began much earlier, the PCB appointed the Qayyum Commission, headed by Justice Mohammad Malik Qayyum, to investigate suspected players.
Hansie Cronje
What he was accused of A conversation with bookmaker Sanjay Chawla over the phone during South Africa's tour of India in 1999-2000, tapped by the Delhi police, was to unleash a monster: Cronje became the main protagonist of the biggest scandal in cricket's history. He was alleged to have had associations with several bookmakers, with dealings ranging from betting, supplying information and attempting to manipulate results.
What happened next Four months after first testifying before the King Commission, Cronje was handed a life ban from cricket. In June 2002, a little over two years since the saga began, he was tragically killed in an air crash. He was 32.
What he was accused of A conversation with bookmaker Sanjay Chawla over the phone during South Africa's tour of India in 1999-2000, tapped by the Delhi police, was to unleash a monster: Cronje became the main protagonist of the biggest scandal in cricket's history. He was alleged to have had associations with several bookmakers, with dealings ranging from betting, supplying information and attempting to manipulate results.
What happened next Four months after first testifying before the King Commission, Cronje was handed a life ban from cricket. In June 2002, a little over two years since the saga began, he was tragically killed in an air crash. He was 32.
Mohammad Azharuddin
What he was accused of As the investigations against Indian cricketers got underway, Azharuddin's name featured frequently in the enquiries conducted by the CBI. In his report Madhavan said of Azharuddin: "In his case, the misconduct is aggravated, as he was the captain of the Indian team for long and let down the country and the cricket-loving public in a despicable manner." Madhavan found Azharuddin guilty of maintaining close contacts with bookmakers and being involved in match-fixing.
What happened next Azharuddin was slapped with a life ban from cricket.
Where is he now? An elected Member of Parliament, representing the Indian National Congress from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh.
What he was accused of As the investigations against Indian cricketers got underway, Azharuddin's name featured frequently in the enquiries conducted by the CBI. In his report Madhavan said of Azharuddin: "In his case, the misconduct is aggravated, as he was the captain of the Indian team for long and let down the country and the cricket-loving public in a despicable manner." Madhavan found Azharuddin guilty of maintaining close contacts with bookmakers and being involved in match-fixing.
What happened next Azharuddin was slapped with a life ban from cricket.
Where is he now? An elected Member of Parliament, representing the Indian National Congress from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh.
Saleem Malik
What he was accused of It was alleged that Malik had tried to fix matches on the tour of New Zealand in 1993-94, but the testimonies that sealed his fate came from two Australian players - Shane Warne and Mark Waugh. They alleged Malik had offered them money to underperform during Australia's tour of Pakistan in 1994. One of the games concerned was the Karachi Test.
What happened next The PCB upheld the recommendation of the Qayyum Commission and banned Malik for life.
Where is he now? He appealed the ban and managed to overturn it in October 2008.
What he was accused of It was alleged that Malik had tried to fix matches on the tour of New Zealand in 1993-94, but the testimonies that sealed his fate came from two Australian players - Shane Warne and Mark Waugh. They alleged Malik had offered them money to underperform during Australia's tour of Pakistan in 1994. One of the games concerned was the Karachi Test.
What happened next The PCB upheld the recommendation of the Qayyum Commission and banned Malik for life.
Where is he now? He appealed the ban and managed to overturn it in October 2008.
Ata-ur-Rehman
What he was accused of Fast bowler Rehman accused Wasim Akram of offering him Rs. 1 lakh to bowl badly in an ODI against New Zealand in Christchurch in 1993, after having initially claimed he denied giving the statement. He alleged he been threatened into signing an affidavit contradicting his original claim; during the subsequent cross examination he withdrew the allegations against Akram. The flip flop cost him badly.
What he was accused of Fast bowler Rehman accused Wasim Akram of offering him Rs. 1 lakh to bowl badly in an ODI against New Zealand in Christchurch in 1993, after having initially claimed he denied giving the statement. He alleged he been threatened into signing an affidavit contradicting his original claim; during the subsequent cross examination he withdrew the allegations against Akram. The flip flop cost him badly.
What happened next Rehman's accusations against Akram were deemed non-admissible. He was issued a show-cause notice for perjury, fined, and banned for life.
Where is he now? The punishment was lifted by the ICC in November 2006, and he turned to county cricket, most recently playing in the Staffordshire Cup.
Where is he now? The punishment was lifted by the ICC in November 2006, and he turned to county cricket, most recently playing in the Staffordshire Cup.
Ajay Sharma
What he was accused of One of India's most prolific batsmen on the domestic circuit, Sharma was accused of being a conduit between bookmakers and cricketers and said to have admitted to the CBI of introducing Azharuddin to Mukesh Gupta, a bookie - though he denied making this statement to Madhavan.
What happened next He was banned for life by the BCCI for having contacts with bookies, though there was no evidence of his being involved in fixing matches.
Where is he now? Works for the Central Warehousing Corporation.
What he was accused of One of India's most prolific batsmen on the domestic circuit, Sharma was accused of being a conduit between bookmakers and cricketers and said to have admitted to the CBI of introducing Azharuddin to Mukesh Gupta, a bookie - though he denied making this statement to Madhavan.
What happened next He was banned for life by the BCCI for having contacts with bookies, though there was no evidence of his being involved in fixing matches.
Where is he now? Works for the Central Warehousing Corporation.
Ali Irani
What he was accused of A physiotherapist with the Indian team between 1987 and 1997, Irani was alleged being a conduit between "Mohd. Azharuddin and the betting syndicate, including in accepting payments of large amounts of cash on behalf of Azharuddin."
What happened next The BCCI banned Ali Irani for five years.
Where is he now? He is currently the president of the Indian Association of Physiotherapists.
What he was accused of A physiotherapist with the Indian team between 1987 and 1997, Irani was alleged being a conduit between "Mohd. Azharuddin and the betting syndicate, including in accepting payments of large amounts of cash on behalf of Azharuddin."
What happened next The BCCI banned Ali Irani for five years.
Where is he now? He is currently the president of the Indian Association of Physiotherapists.
Manoj Prabhakar
What he was accused of The CBI found Prabhakar to have had a close relationship with several bookmakers, especially Mukesh Gupta. It claimed Prabhakar admitted introducing Gupta to Brian Lara, Mark Waugh and Saleem Malik, but his answers to Madhavan remained "vague." Madhavan, however, concluded the CBI's analysis was "correct."
What happened next While no evidence was found to charge him with match-fixing, Prabhakar's alleged close contacts with bookies, and "unbecoming conduct as a national player", resulted in a five-year ban.
Where is he now? Prabhakar was named coach of the Rajasthan Ranji team ahead of the 2009-10 season before being replaced. Prior to that he had also coached Delhi.
What he was accused of The CBI found Prabhakar to have had a close relationship with several bookmakers, especially Mukesh Gupta. It claimed Prabhakar admitted introducing Gupta to Brian Lara, Mark Waugh and Saleem Malik, but his answers to Madhavan remained "vague." Madhavan, however, concluded the CBI's analysis was "correct."
What happened next While no evidence was found to charge him with match-fixing, Prabhakar's alleged close contacts with bookies, and "unbecoming conduct as a national player", resulted in a five-year ban.
Where is he now? Prabhakar was named coach of the Rajasthan Ranji team ahead of the 2009-10 season before being replaced. Prior to that he had also coached Delhi.
Ajay Jadeja
What he was accused of Said to have "very close undesirable contacts and objectionable nexus" with bookmakers, some of whom Jadeja, as mentioned in the CBI report, admitted to knowing but not as bookies.
What happened next Jadeja was handed a five-year ban for his alleged nexus with bookmakers. He appealed against the ban and, in May 2003, the Delhi High Court allowed him to return to domestic cricket. He went on to captain Delhi, and led as well as coached Rajasthan.
Where is he now? A cricket analyst on a major Indian news channel.
What he was accused of Said to have "very close undesirable contacts and objectionable nexus" with bookmakers, some of whom Jadeja, as mentioned in the CBI report, admitted to knowing but not as bookies.
What happened next Jadeja was handed a five-year ban for his alleged nexus with bookmakers. He appealed against the ban and, in May 2003, the Delhi High Court allowed him to return to domestic cricket. He went on to captain Delhi, and led as well as coached Rajasthan.
Where is he now? A cricket analyst on a major Indian news channel.
Henry Williams
What he was accused of His medium pace didn't get much notice, but Williams will be remembered as one of the players who admitted to taking money from Cronje to underperform. In Nagpur on the morning of the final ODI of the five-match series in 2000, Williams was offered US$15,000 to concede more than 50 runs in his spell of 10 overs. However, he ended up getting injured and bowled just 11 balls.
What happened next Williams was banned from international cricket for six months. "I couldn't understand that he [Cronje] got us into that shit and then didn't stand up for us," he said.
Where is he now? Returned to domestic cricket and took up a coaching role with Boland. [was also U-19 assistant coach in 2008]
What he was accused of His medium pace didn't get much notice, but Williams will be remembered as one of the players who admitted to taking money from Cronje to underperform. In Nagpur on the morning of the final ODI of the five-match series in 2000, Williams was offered US$15,000 to concede more than 50 runs in his spell of 10 overs. However, he ended up getting injured and bowled just 11 balls.
What happened next Williams was banned from international cricket for six months. "I couldn't understand that he [Cronje] got us into that shit and then didn't stand up for us," he said.
Where is he now? Returned to domestic cricket and took up a coaching role with Boland. [was also U-19 assistant coach in 2008]
Herschelle Gibbs
What he was accused of Gibbs, too, had been offered US$15,000 to underperform by Cronje in the same game as Williams. Gibbs was supposed to get out for under 20, but ended up scoring 74 on a track he found to his liking. The deal was off but during the investigations Gibbs first denied being approached by Cronje and then confirmed the approach while claiming no money had been discussed. According to the King Commission, only upon the instigation of Mark Boucher did Gibbs finally speak the truth in front of his legal representatives.
What happened next Gibbs, like Williams, was banned for six months.
Where is he now? Gibbs is still part of the South Africa set-up. He is currently representing Yorkshire in the Friends Provident T20 in England.
What he was accused of Gibbs, too, had been offered US$15,000 to underperform by Cronje in the same game as Williams. Gibbs was supposed to get out for under 20, but ended up scoring 74 on a track he found to his liking. The deal was off but during the investigations Gibbs first denied being approached by Cronje and then confirmed the approach while claiming no money had been discussed. According to the King Commission, only upon the instigation of Mark Boucher did Gibbs finally speak the truth in front of his legal representatives.
What happened next Gibbs, like Williams, was banned for six months.
Where is he now? Gibbs is still part of the South Africa set-up. He is currently representing Yorkshire in the Friends Provident T20 in England.
Wasim Akram
What he was accused of Akram had been accused by Ata-ur-Rehman of offering him Rs 1 lakh to bowl badly in an ODI in Christchurch in 1993, but during a cross-examination Rehman went back on his claim.
What happened next This withdrawal undermined the one accusation that, according to Justice Qayyum, "might" have led to the former Pakistan captain being found guilty of match-fixing. Justice Qayyum, six years after the verdict, revealed a "soft corner" for Akram may have influenced his decision to just fine him and issue a directive that Akram never be made captain again.
Where is he now? Akram is a successful television commentator. He served as the bowling coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL this year.
What he was accused of Akram had been accused by Ata-ur-Rehman of offering him Rs 1 lakh to bowl badly in an ODI in Christchurch in 1993, but during a cross-examination Rehman went back on his claim.
What happened next This withdrawal undermined the one accusation that, according to Justice Qayyum, "might" have led to the former Pakistan captain being found guilty of match-fixing. Justice Qayyum, six years after the verdict, revealed a "soft corner" for Akram may have influenced his decision to just fine him and issue a directive that Akram never be made captain again.
Where is he now? Akram is a successful television commentator. He served as the bowling coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL this year.
Mushtaq Ahmed
What he was accused of Mushtaq was accused of having close contact with bookmakers, an offence that, according to the Qayyum Commission, was enough to warrant censure, no future appointment to a position of responsibility, and a fine.
What happened next He was fined Rs 3 lakh.
Where is he now? Mushtaq returned to serve as Pakistan's assistant coach during the 2007 World Cup, and had an excellent stint for Sussex in county cricket. He is now England's spin bowling coach.
What he was accused of Mushtaq was accused of having close contact with bookmakers, an offence that, according to the Qayyum Commission, was enough to warrant censure, no future appointment to a position of responsibility, and a fine.
What happened next He was fined Rs 3 lakh.
Where is he now? Mushtaq returned to serve as Pakistan's assistant coach during the 2007 World Cup, and had an excellent stint for Sussex in county cricket. He is now England's spin bowling coach.
Inzamam-ul-Haq and Akram Raza
What they were accused of Following the claim that they were present when Saleem Malik allegedly discussed dropping a game against New Zealand in 1993-94, the pair was found to be uncooperative by the Qayyum commission, which stated that their "partial amnesia was distressing."
What happened next The commission concluded the two knew more than what they revealed, and fined them Rs. 1 lakh each.
Where are they now? Inzamam went on to captain Pakistan and finished as one of their most successful batsmen, retiring from the international game in 2007. Raza went on to become an umpire in domestic cricket.
What they were accused of Following the claim that they were present when Saleem Malik allegedly discussed dropping a game against New Zealand in 1993-94, the pair was found to be uncooperative by the Qayyum commission, which stated that their "partial amnesia was distressing."
What happened next The commission concluded the two knew more than what they revealed, and fined them Rs. 1 lakh each.
Where are they now? Inzamam went on to captain Pakistan and finished as one of their most successful batsmen, retiring from the international game in 2007. Raza went on to become an umpire in domestic cricket.
Saeed Anwar
What he was accused of Questions of Anwar's involvement centred around a Singer Cup game against Australia in 1994, where he retired hurt and returned to bat when a win was almost beyond reach. There were claims that messages were sent, asking him to get out, which Anwar said were messages asking him to "be careful" instead.
What happened next - The report, while exonerating Anwar of match-fixing, stated he appeared to be withholding some evidence and recommended a fine of Rs.1 lakh.
Where is he now? Anwar has turned to religion and is a member of the Tablighi Jamaat, an Islamic missionary movement.
What he was accused of Questions of Anwar's involvement centred around a Singer Cup game against Australia in 1994, where he retired hurt and returned to bat when a win was almost beyond reach. There were claims that messages were sent, asking him to get out, which Anwar said were messages asking him to "be careful" instead.
What happened next - The report, while exonerating Anwar of match-fixing, stated he appeared to be withholding some evidence and recommended a fine of Rs.1 lakh.
Where is he now? Anwar has turned to religion and is a member of the Tablighi Jamaat, an Islamic missionary movement.
Waqar Younis
What he was accused of Waqar had been accused of having contacts with bookmakers, but these remained unsubstantiated.
What happened next The Qayyum commission found sufficient grounds to censure Waqar and fine him Rs 1 lakh, reasoning that "all the allegations taken together warrant some action".
Where is he now? Waqar took to commentary for several years after his retirement and is currently the Pakistan coach.
What he was accused of Waqar had been accused of having contacts with bookmakers, but these remained unsubstantiated.
What happened next The Qayyum commission found sufficient grounds to censure Waqar and fine him Rs 1 lakh, reasoning that "all the allegations taken together warrant some action".
Where is he now? Waqar took to commentary for several years after his retirement and is currently the Pakistan coach.
Mark Waugh and Shane Warne
What they admitted to Warne said he had accepted $5000 from an Indian bookmaker, "John", whom he met at a casino during a tour of Sri Lanka in 1994, believing there were "no strings attached". Waugh said he received $4000 from the same man for pitch and weather information.
What happened next The Austalian board fined Waugh A$8000 and Warne A$10,000 for giving information to bookmakers in 1995 - though this information emerged only late in 1998.
Where are they now? Waugh retired from the international game in 2002, but went on to play two more seasons for New South Wales. Warne retired from international cricket in 2007, before leading Rajasthan Royals for three seasons in the IPL and playing poker professionally.
What they admitted to Warne said he had accepted $5000 from an Indian bookmaker, "John", whom he met at a casino during a tour of Sri Lanka in 1994, believing there were "no strings attached". Waugh said he received $4000 from the same man for pitch and weather information.
What happened next The Austalian board fined Waugh A$8000 and Warne A$10,000 for giving information to bookmakers in 1995 - though this information emerged only late in 1998.
Where are they now? Waugh retired from the international game in 2002, but went on to play two more seasons for New South Wales. Warne retired from international cricket in 2007, before leading Rajasthan Royals for three seasons in the IPL and playing poker professionally.
Siddhartha Talya is an editorial assistant at Cricinfo