Al Jazeera spot-fixing documentary shows fixer near cricketers during World T20 2012

Fresh claims of spot-fixing have once again rocked international cricket following a documentary released on Sunday by the Emirates-based news organisation Al Jazeera. The documentary has reportedly claimed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has not taken the issue of corruption in the sport seriously. However, the ICC has refuted the “assertion” and has once again questioned the broadcaster’s refusal to share the raw footage with them for investigations.

Most importantly, Al Jazeera showed photographs of Aneel Munawar, a Dubai-based match-fixer, and his associates hovering near and purportedly talking to high profile international cricketers such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Graeme Swann and Chris Gayle during the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2012.

The channel’s report further claimed that the matches in which fixes were allegedly carried out included an England-India Test at Lord’s, a South Africa-Australia Test in Cape Town, and a number of games during England’s series against Pakistan in the UAE.

Al Jazeera had in May 2018 released the prequel to this documentary where it explained how spot-fixing was carried and how it was rife in the sport. In the latest claims, sections in as many as 15 matches were reportedly fixed during the span of a year between 2011 and 2012. The channel also said that a number of players from England and Australia were directly contacted by a match-fixer called Munawar, but has refused to reveal their identities.

A report on their channel’s website stated that “the evidence, from 2011 and 2012, points to a small group of England players allegedly carrying out spot-fixes in seven matches; Australia players in five matches; Pakistan players in three, with players from other teams carrying out spot-fixes in one match.”

The ICC has apparently had no cooperation from Al Jazeera

In the aftermath of the allegations, the ICC has demanded the footage of the sting carried out by the channel. However, it claims to have got no cooperation from the channel. “As with the first programme we have and will continue to ask for the cooperation of the broadcaster. We have made repeated efforts to engage with the broadcaster as it can play such a crucial part in the full and thorough investigation it has called for,” ICC Anti-Corruption GM Alex Marshall said in a statement.

“We do welcome the commitment from the broadcaster to share the files with Interpol and, I hope, other law enforcement agencies who can act upon the information and support us in ridding the sport of these criminals,” he added.

Nevertheless, the channel made it clear that there is no suggestion that these players were involved in any wrongdoing.

Here is the full documentary:

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