Spot-fixing controversy

The likelihood of three no-balls occurring at pre-determined times in a Test match had a "one in a 1.5 million chance" of happening, a court was told on Monday during the alleged spot-fixing trial of two Pakistan cricketers.

Sky Sports statistician Benedict Bermange, appearing as a prosecution witness late in the afternoon, made the claim at Southwark Crown Court where former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and fast bowler Mohammad Asif are defending themselves against allegations of conspiring to bowl pre-planned no-balls in the Lord's Test last year. Both players deny the charges.

The jury has already heard the background of how two no-balls from Mohammad Amir and one from Mohammad Asif were bowled at exactly the same time in the match that had been predicted on a secretly-filmed tape by agent Mazhar Majeed, who was exposed in a sting operation by an undercover News of the World journalist.

"According to my calculations, there is a one in a million chance (of three no-balls being bowled at pre-determined times)," Bermange said, "but for these two bowlers that becomes a one in a 1.5 million chance," presumably because of their expertise and usual accuracy at not overstepping.

In Bermange's statement he revealed that Pakistan bowl 23 percent more no-balls than any other country, but also said that Asif's 58 career no-balls - or just under two per Test - was low in comparison to his contemporaries. That number included 24 in one match against South Africa.

Asif's legal representative Alexander Milne questioned Bermange on his results and agreed the rate for bowling pre-determined no-balls without corrupt intervention would be "far-fetched" but did also gain a valuable concession from Bermange as to his client.

When Milne pointed to a printed graphic illustrating Asif's front foot for his no-ball and suggested to Bermange it was a no-ball by just a fraction, the Sky Sports statistician replied: "Yes".

Although Bermange was revealed to have a science degree at Durham University, he did admit to having a maths 'A' level and had taken a statistics course. He also stated that by some quirk (maybe to do with the slope), Lord's has a 20 percent higher no-ball rate than any other ground around the world.

But that was of little consolation for the teenage Amir who, according to Bermange, overstepped by some distance.

"I have attended 50 Test matches within my current position and these two (bowled by Amir) were the largest no-balls in terms of the front foot being over the crease that I have seen."

News of the World reporter Mazhar Mahmood will again appear in the witness stand on Tuesday and there will soon be an appearance from statistician David Kendix, who devised the world rankings for the ICC. The case continues.

Guys do they deserve a chance of come back in international cricket

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no they dn't

Anybody know how much no balls did ZAHEER bowled

they should be jailed for this crime

severe punishment should be given to those who indulge in spot fixing

Zaher?wat u mean Viresh?

Australian Playerz r Grt Match Fixerz.

I guess Zaheer has bowled more no balls then Asif , so can we conclude even Zaheer has involved in spot fixing?

Australians :shock: ?

Akmal bros and Wahab r also match fixerz

Australian fixerz r much grter than Pak Fixerz-Majeed

Bowling More No ball means they r fixerz?

@viresh but those players asif and ameer bowled no balls purposely

Akmal brothers are involved, but Wahab is in doubt

Last week Asif Told Wahab and Akmal bros r involvd

so 6 current players of pakistan involved

Virumaniac wrote:Australian fixerz r much grter than Pak Fixerz-Majeed

just after world cup,Hasan Tillakaratne accused his former players of match fixing.He named aravinda de silva,jayasurya and more.
He didnt gave any proof.
There was an indian news agency just 4-5 months back who claimed that they done string operation and have found how indian players are involved in fixing and have submitted the details to icc.
Nor did ICC confirmed it nor it was ever proved that these things happened

May be More.not sure.

Majeed told Yestrday Aussie r also gud in Match fixing..

but majeed has told and the cbi conformed that aus players are more interested to fix, not sure though

There was a time I believed No one can take money and play well.
There is no gurantee that a player will play well once he steps into the field,but there is 100% surity that he/she will fail.

But since majhar says that Australians are greatest fixers, This proves How much self confidence does Australian players have.By this I mean, They take money to play well.
They fix to play well

He also told akram and waqar r also involvd in fixing.

I will excuse Mohammad Amaer because of his age.he is the next wasim akram.He cannot be banned for 5 years.
One crime is pardonable