21 October 2018
Aneel Munawar (pictured), an alleged match-fixer is reported to have been involved in 26 spot-fixing instances between 2011-12, according to Al Jazeera’s investigative documentary released on 21 October 2018. The documentary titled ‘Cricket’s Match Fixers: The Munawar Files’, claims that matches were fixed in seven matches by England players, five matches by Australia players, three matches by Pakistan players, and in one match by players from another country.
David Leatherdale, the chief executive of the Professional Cricketers’ Association refuted all allegations concerning English players. Cricket Australia has also issued a statement refuting all allegations against its players.
Munawar is believed to be a member of the ‘D-Company’, a betting syndicate. controlled by Dawood Ibrahim. Sonu Jalan, a bookie arrested in Mumbai earlier this year, is said to have identified Munawar and his connections with the ‘D-Company’.
Many people, have serious concerns about the ICC’s ability to govern the game as it focuses on making billions in television rights.
Al Jazeera is planning to provide Interpol with a copy of ‘The Munawar Files’,” the documentary stated. It is noted that Al Jazeera cannot disclose its sources or provide evidence that it has. It is for ICC and various governments to investigate the corruption claims made by Al Jazeera.
ICC must work with various governments to make betting available through government controlled or approved betting syndicates to eliminate the possibility of match fixing. If there is widespread match fixing corruption, people will lose interest in the game and ICC’s revenue will also decline.
