1996 World Cup Semi Final, Sri Lanka vs India was Fixed - Vinod Kambli

[Shayan]

Shayan struggling to address the pertinent points I raise. What a choker.

I agree with your pertinent points regarding fixing, I don't need to address them.

Your error still stands, as does your failure to address it.

 

[Black Zero]

I had massive 'cricketing' grudge towards Lankan cricketers from that loss, I still feel pain, even after winning 2011, when I think about it. Also, felt pain losing 03 final.

BUT all took full circle, beat both teams in crunch matches.

calm down..qf was also fixed...

 

[cricketworm]

calm down..qf was also fixed...

Yes, everything is fixed .. why are we even watching cricket then?. Let's just shut down the cricket and let's play Kabbadi.

hututuththtuitututuhtutuutututtuuu

 

[USMAN KHAN]

Big news, is this the reason why he was in tears

And the way they dumped him even when he averages 54 with the bat.

he had a pathetic average of 32 in ODIs i think he was invovled fixing that match vinod kambli felt guilty and couldn't hold back his emotions

 

[Love Pakistan]

ok it was fixed,.... what to do now? cry over it like babies after 15 years?

 

[Tapioca]

I was also very surprised when Azhar decided to bowl. In previous 2 years ('94 & '95) India won 2 ODI Finals over 100 runs margin batting first & Eden track those days used to turn miles (Anil's 6/12 could easily been 8/8, if there was not an edged boundary & last 2 wickets went from other end). It was late March & the dew also was not that heavy during night to prompt fielding first. But, that decision of bowling first must not be his alone & to some extent it worked. Both Lankan dynamic openers were out for ducks in first over & at a point of time, Lanka was probably 80/4 or so, losing Guru & Hary as well.

Azhar's decision to bowl was considered logical at the time because the opponents were Sri Lanka. If you had taken a poll before the match, chances are that three-fourths of the cricket fans would have chosen to field. Only after the second half of Indian innings flopped that people started criticising on retrospect.

India had been terribly frightened off by the first round defeat in Delhi. It was not the defeat itself but the way the SL openers destroyed the bowling. Then Jayasuriya played brutal knock in the QF where SL won with some 20 overs to spare.

So the impression was that SL batsmen would be able to chase any score, and the best chance was to put them in, and chase against bowlers who were only restrictive.

If India had batted first and lost, criticisms of Azhar would have been worse, as there was very recent evidence to show that batting first against SL was a bad option.

 

[dinakar]

Kambli's claim has only one valid point, if team meeting's decision was to bat first in case of winning toss and Azhar just over turned that decision without any consultation, then it can be suspicious. But I don't think anyone will come out and substantiate Kambli's claim. Until then it is just Kambli's emotional drama.

As for his career ending his career, it is because of his undisciplined life during the world cup. the new coach Sandeep Patil wanted him to learn a lesson and kept him out of the Englad tour. Unfortunately for Kambli, two star middle order batsmen had emerged in that tour- Ganguly and Dravid.

 

[MenInG]

He better have migration plans ready - Indians living in a glass house at the moment.

 

[Ryankhan]

So we have to wait for another 16 years from SL player to confirm that 2011 final was fixed?

hahhahaa. hilarious..... hopefully sooon, one by one more names will come up and reveal it all. no doubt that this fixing isnt spread around all playing nations.

kambli maybe right but why wait for so long to announce it????

 

[ballyho]

........some of the other points I have listed which Bally Ho ignored, conveniently?

I like what you did there with my nick.

You addressed me and my point. My response was to that. Whether I then choose to respond to the rest of your "points" is irrelevant.

Follows perfectly? Hmmm. Did you look up the Latin translation one wonders.

Instead of holding Bally Ho's hand.......

Yeah, you're very erudite. Take a bow.

I myself had to look it up to know what that means.

Shayan doesn't need to hold my hand. Based on whatever I've read here, he always holds the hand of his convictions whether or not they go against popular opinions.

Regarding Kambli, I was a big fan of this guy when he first burst on the scene, but his behaviour after he was axed does nothing short of qualifying him in the "loser" category. For starters, his axing wasn't performance-related. The final straw that sent him packing was his decision to strip naked and walk around the team hotel, totally drunk before he was finally pulled away from the lobby (not before he'd scared a few guests). These are facts and him coming on a TV show recently and saying Sachin didn't help him enough and could have saved him from himself confirms he still doesn't accept that every man's destiny is in their own hands.

It feels sad to watch this video and remember that moment as he walks off crying, but it also shows the crowd's confidence in his form and ability to pull India out of that situation. Even if it was 9 down and Sachin was in his place, there is no way the crowd would have done what they did. He needs to come to terms with that. 15 years later.

There are many ways of looking at this game though. Someone raised an interesting point earlier about the possibility of punters having vested interests in seeing the game not completed.

Match fixing in India was huge those days. So wouldn't be surprised if this one was. However, claiming it was fixed without providing sufficient proof takes away credit from a rampaging Sri Lankan team that year.

 

[Tapioca]

kambli maybe right but why wait for so long to announce it????

If he said it at the time and if there was a PakPassion then, how would the comments of the guys here be ?

 

[ahamedirshad123]

1996 was fixed. 1999 final was fixed. 2011 was fixed !!!!

and 2009 final

 

[ahamedirshad123]

Kambli's fixing claims show his class: Azhar

Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin has broken his silence, slamming Vinod Kambli's claims that India's 1996 World Cup semi-final against Sri Lanka may have been 'fixed.'

Talking to CNN-IBN, Azhar said what Kambli has brought up is "highly disrespectful to the (then) team members", adding that he had no regrets about his decision to bowl first - which Kambli has questioned - in that match.

"We decided to field. It was discussed and a team decision. It was a collective decision. I don't have any regrets, no reason to shy away from this. What Vinod is saying is absolutely rubbish! He must have been sleeping in the team meeting," said the former captain.

"We wanted to field first and chase against Sri Lanka, wanted to do something different in the match. Very sad that people are questioning the decision. For Kambli to talk like this, it shows his class," a visibly distraught Azhar said.

"Vinod Kambli on so many occasions has said that I was the best captain he has played under. It's very annoying the way the statement was made."

Azhar resisted any questions related to match-fixing.

"The match-fixing case is going on in the High Court. When my name is cleared, everybody will come to know the truth. I am not affected by the allegations. Kambli has made a fool of himself," Azhar concluded.

Earlier on Thursday, talking to a television channel, Kambli made a startling claim that the 1996 World Cup semi-final between India and Sri Lanka could have been fixed.

 

[ahamedirshad123]

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[Namak_Halaal]

Match fixing in India was huge those days. So wouldn't be surprised if this one was. However, claiming it was fixed without providing sufficient proof takes away credit from a rampaging Sri Lankan team that year.

On one hand you believe Jadeja was involved, on the same hand it wouldn't surprise you if matches were fixed, on the same hand you believe fixing was widespread in the 90s, yet, on the other hand you are demanding proof because you feel the match undermined the performance of SL.

Have you ever stopped to think why Azhar et al were on the radar for fixing? It's because of matches like the 96 SF. Such matches provide enough evidence to support fixing to the extent players are investigated, yet you demand proof?

Had India won the WC in 96 do you honestly believe Azhar et al would've been banned from cricket? Yet you demand proof?

From Cronje to Azhar to Amir, players banned for fixing, yet you demand proof?

Pak vs Aus test in 2010, had suspicion written all over it, but Samaritans like yourself demanded proof of fixing not realising the match itself was evidence. Well what do you know, Pakistani player turned whistleblower and 3 players were not only banned but sentenced to prison. Yet you demand proof?

Tell me, since you believe fixing was rife in the 90s, how about you cite a handful of specific matches which you believe were fixed, with proof. Can you do that? If not, then you cannot claim fixing was rife in the 90s simply because you have no proof. You cannot claim matches were fixed because Mr. Condon said so. It begs the question, on what grounds can YOU claim matches were fixed in the 90s in absence of proof?

Wakey wakey! There is a difference between evidence and proof.

This is why your thinking does not follow, very much the same way as calling me a retard only to top it off by calling me erudite. Does. Not. Follow.

PS: Yes I do understand how you feel about VK, you are talking to a guy who witnessed the talent, then demise of Amir - because of fixing.

 

[Pak_Lover]

Not only semi-final but quarter final b/w pak and india was also fixed...It was so heartbreaking to know just before the match that wasim akram is not playing...I remember when the team names were being mentioned on the screen and wasim's name wasnt there,my uncle had predicted india's win in advance...I couldnt believe it that time but when waqar younis was being smacked by jadeja all over the park then I came to know what my uncle meant... Alas!!! The cricketers who are role models for youth generation have somehow been involved in fixing and there is no DENIAL to it that we were HOT Favourites to win that World Cup

 

[Shayan]

"We wanted to field first and chase against Sri Lanka, wanted to do something different in the match.

I find it hard to believe you would want to do something different in a match of such magnitude.

HOWEVER, in his defence, the way Sri Lanka destroyed England when chasing in the quarter-final, perhaps did warrant a re-think of strategy.

And it worked, both Sri Lankan openers were dismissed in the 1st over.

 

[ahamedirshad123]

I find it hard to believe you would want to do something different in a match of such magnitude.
over.

Azhar said that Sri Lanka defeated India in Kotla batting second in a group match.

 

[ballyho]

On one hand you believe Jadeja was involved, on the same hand it wouldn't surprise you if matches were fixed, on the same hand you believe fixing was widespread in the 90s, yet, on the other hand you are demanding proof because you feel the match undermined the performance of SL.

Why is that so hard to understand?

I know that Azhar, Jadeja (and possibly Mongia and Prabhakar) fixed matches. (how? I'll come to that later, below). But I don't know whether the WC semi (96) was fixed.

Therefore, I require proof before I go around undermining what Sri Lanka achieved. Saying a match was fixed is the lamest manner of denial and refusing credit to the opposition. Claiming Hawkeye was deliberately doctored is a close second, but let's not go there.

It's because of matches like the 96 SF. Such matches provide enough evidence to support fixing to the extent players are investigated, yet you demand proof?

I've seen enough matches featuring batting collapses under pressure. For decades, India batting second was a terrifying prospect once Sachin got out. And since you've suggested elsewhere here through innuendo that you've been watching cricket pre-2000s, I'll assume, you must have also seen enough games where this has happened even with other teams, without something sinister being involved.

Forget the pressures of international crowds, even local club games or street games have featured these kind of collapses or strange happenings. Surely, you've been involved in a few such games, where you didn't accept money to get out or do something ridiculous.

It's called sport, where nothing is a certainty.

Had India won the WC in 96 do you honestly believe Azhar et al would've been banned from cricket?

Man typing these long posts is irksome.

To answer your qn - no, probably not.

Pak vs Aus test in 2010, had suspicion written all over it, but Samaritans like yourself demanded proof of fixing not realising the match itself was evidence. Well what do you know, Pakistani player turned whistleblower and 3 players were not only banned but sentenced to prison. Yet you demand proof?

They weren't convicted for this match.

Secondly, I've never said anything before about this match, yet you assume. But I will do now. I don't at this point think this match was fixed, unless significant proof is produced. Your claim that a team collapses or another team performs well against the odds is itself evidence is ludicrous and symptomatic of what a certain amount of Pak fans do after every important loss. Blame all reasons other than cricketing reasons. To me, it is quite likely that Pak choked while batting against the incessant Aussie pressure. Aus have caused countless teams to do the same, and yet no one questions those games. This pressure that Aus were able to exert is pretty much what made them the force they were in their heydays.

Tell me, since you believe fixing was rife in the 90s, how about you cite a handful of specific matches which you believe were fixed, with proof. Can you do that? If not, then you cannot claim fixing was rife in the 90s simply because you have no proof. You cannot claim matches were fixed because Mr. Condon said so. It begs the question, on what grounds can YOU claim matches were fixed in the 90s in absence of proof?

I'm not even fully aware of what this Condon fellow said. Have only given it a cursory once-over since it didn't offer anything concrete.

As for proof, here goes.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65771.html

The above match was fixed to have three runouts. It was mentioned in a conversation that the Delhi police tapped between bookies, or between a bookie and Azhar, before the game. (i'm not sure exactly who said to whom and this info came out much later around the Cronje time) Tendulkar was one of the three run out and he was pretty much run out by Jadeja.

Tendulkar's response to that in the next two games was this

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65773.html

and this

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65774.html.

I included his response, knowing how much you adore him. I can just picture you hopping around in seizures

This is why your thinking does not follow, very much the same way as calling me a retard only to top it off by calling me erudite. Does. Not. Follow..

I stand by my two claims. Pity you're not famous enough, or I'd have been on television with my own show and reporters hounding me. Maybe, even a book deal.

PS: Yes I do understand how you feel about VK, you are talking to a guy who witnessed the talent, then demise of Amir - because of fixing.

For this you truly have my sympathies. While I don't have as much of a heartache about Amir's loss as a Pak cricket fan must have, it's the worst possible thing to lose a talent for non-cricketing reasons.

 

[ballyho]

Also, may I add, that knock by De Silva in the semis, is one of the best ODI knocks I've ever seen. It would be a shame if someone claims that the bowlers were paid to underperform while bowling to him.

 

[Shayan]

Azhar said that Sri Lanka defeated India in Kotla batting second in a group match.

Ah yes, forgot about that. They chased over 270.

There does seem to be some logic to Azhar's decision.

 

[ballyho]

One more thing which is important. The two matches I cited as Tendulkar's response - in both cases, he was not out and was given out by umpire Javed Akhtar who was later removed for being a dubious umpire.

 

[deathstreak]

1) Azhar's wicket
2) Sending srinath as a pinch hitter at 4 down but what we needed was a consolidation at that stage
3) Jadeja's wicket

all look suspicious.

Jadeja's wicket in that match?
Did you see how much jayasuria's ball spun?

It was like a 5th day test pitch from mumbai.
The inagruation ceremony had destroyed the pitch.
The ball was stopping and javasruia could have given warne competition in the amount of turn he was getting...

the choice to bowl first might be blamed, but nothing should take away from de silva's and ranatunga's innings. those late cuts were delectable,

 

[dinakar]

Ah yes, forgot about that. They chased over 270.

There does seem to be some logic to Azhar's decision.

To be honest, we had heart in mouth when Azhar said we bowl first, but in three overs when they nabbed Jaya, Kalu and Guru we all appreciated him and management that they were well prepared and had done the home work well.

There is still a question persisting though, why was Azhar removed from captaincy and team for the next tour? India had done pretty well till that SF.

 

[dinakar]

the choice to bowl first might be blamed, but nothing should take away from de silva's and ranatunga's innings. those late cuts were delectable,

And Mahanama's too, he was the real thorn! unmoved!

Anyways, fun to revive the old memories! in 90s I have watched almost all matches which Doordarshan relayed!

 

[jusarrived]

1996 was fixed. 1999 final was fixed. 2011 was fixed !!!!

I would say 92 too

 

[Namak_Halaal]

Why is that so hard to understand?

You claim match fixing was rife in the 90s, yet demand proof.

I know that Azhar, Jadeja (and possibly Mongia and Prabhakar) fixed matches. (how? I'll come to that later, below). But I don't know whether the WC semi (96) was fixed.

You know that Azhar, Jadeja fixed matches yet you demand proof.

You claim Mongia and Prabhakar possibly fixed matches? Which planets are you living on? Both were banned for fixing, yet you demand proof.

How long have you been watching cricket?

Therefore, I require proof before I go around undermining what Sri Lanka achieved. Saying a match was fixed is the lamest manner of denial and refusing credit to the opposition.

What is lame is you claim that match fixing was rife in the 90s yet demand proof of match fixing.

Claiming Hawkeye was deliberately doctored is a close second, but let's not go there.

Who is talking about Hawkeye? Simmer down.

I've seen enough matches featuring batting collapses under pressure. For decades, India batting second was a terrifying prospect once Sachin got out. And since you've suggested elsewhere here through innuendo that you've been watching cricket pre-2000s, I'll assume, you must have also seen enough games where this has happened even with other teams, without something sinister being involved.

You are only proving my point; matches serve as evidence, and anyone watching the 96 SF will testify to this fact.

Forget the pressures of international crowds, even local club games or street games have featured these kind of collapses or strange happenings. Surely, you've been involved in a few such games, where you didn't accept money to get out or do something ridiculous.

It's called sport, where nothing is a certainty.

I have been involved in a few such games where I didn’t accept money? This is your argument against your futile logic? How pathetic.

Man typing these long posts is irksome.

Truth can be posted within a few lines; you post drivel because nothing makes sense.

To answer your qn - no, probably not.

There you go, only substantiating the fact that 96 SF did raise suspicions, and did serve as evidence leading to players being investigated and consequently banned – yet you demand proof.

They weren't convicted for this match.

See above.

Secondly, I've never said anything before about this match, yet you assume. But I will do now. I don't at this point think this match was fixed, unless significant proof is produced. Your claim that a team collapses or another team performs well against the odds is itself evidence is ludicrous and symptomatic of what a certain amount of Pak fans do after every important loss. Blame all reasons other than cricketing reasons. To me, it is quite likely that Pak choked while batting against the incessant Aussie pressure. Aus have caused countless teams to do the same, and yet no one questions those games. This pressure that Aus were able to exert is pretty much what made them the force they were in their heydays.

Too late what you think, because of the suspicious batting collapse players were investigated and banned.

I'm not even fully aware of what this Condon fellow said. Have only given it a cursory once-over since it didn't offer anything concrete.

Ignorance is never bliss.

Yet you believe match fixing was rife in the 90s – on what grounds?

As for proof, here goes.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65771.html

The above match was fixed to have three runouts. It was mentioned in a conversation that the Delhi police tapped between bookies, or between a bookie and Azhar, before the game. (i'm not sure exactly who said to whom and this info came out much later around the Cronje time) Tendulkar was one of the three run out and he was pretty much run out by Jadeja.

Tendulkar's response to that in the next two games was this

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65773.html

and this

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65774.html.

I included his response, knowing how much you adore him. I can just picture you hopping around in seizures

That’s it? 1 match and 2 responses from SRT? This is your proof of widespread match fixing in the 90s?

This has to be a joke! Ha Ha and a Ha type of joke.

I stand by my two claims. Pity you're not famous enough, or I'd have been on television with my own show and reporters hounding me. Maybe, even a book deal.

You claim match fixing was rife in the 90s, and the best you could muster in terms of proof was 1 match and 2 SRT responses.

The bottom line is you fear the truth. You have no idea of what differentiates evidence and proof.

You refuse to accept what Vinnod Kambli has to say because he was caught streaking in a hotel out of his skull.

Get real.

 

[Random Aussie]

I watched that game, good game until the riot eh?

If that was fixed I will doubt every game.

 

[Shayan]

^ N_H, match fixing was common in the 90s, I think that much is accepted.

The question is, does that mean that we must regard every match involving the likes of Azharuddin/Jadeja that contained a batting collapse, as being fixed?

Do you honestly think it's as simple as that?

 

[ballyho]

@NH.

You sound like a zombie parrot there. "The 90s , the 90s you claim, you claim."


The 90s is a long period and refers to 10 years. Nowhere have i made any such claims that the 90s were the Great MatchFixing era. You seem to desperately want me or anyone for that matter to start chorusing pro or against the existence of matchfixing. Maybe you should examine your within, to understand where this need stems from.

That’s it? 1 match and 2 responses from SRT? This is your proof of widespread match fixing in the 90s? and

You claim match fixing was rife in the 90s, and the best you could muster in terms of proof was 1 match and 2 SRT responses.

Yet you believe match fixing was rife in the 90s – on what grounds?

Dude, you seem to be mistaking me for Sarfraz or Basit or whoever. Calm down.

I have been involved in a few such games where I didn’t accept money? This is your argument against your futile logic? How pathetic.

You've clearly not had any experience in this regard, so best you don't comment.

You refuse to accept what Vinnod Kambli has to say because he was caught streaking in a hotel out of his skull.

And you get all *****ly when I ask you if you are severely retarded.

You claim Mongia and Prabhakar possibly fixed matches? Which planets are you living on? Both were banned for fixing, yet you demand proof.

How long have you been watching cricket?

Mongia and Prabhkar were banned during their playing days for bizarre batting patterns while chasing in an ODI.

With regard to the fixing investigation, other than their names being thrown around by bookies and in conversations tapped by the Delhi police, there was nothing concrete like a conversation about a bizarre event (the three run outs) which then actually happened in reality during a game. Hence, while I do believe they might have been involved, I can't be sure like I am about Azhar and Jadeja.

 

[dinakar]

There was one guy in that team, if I remember well, was also connected to the nexus- Ashish Kapoor

It is just an emotional outburst from Kambli, he must be still ruing about that lost chance as later it turn out to be a turning point in his life. Had India won the world cup, probably his fortunes could have been different.

 

[Amjid Javed]

If the game was fixed, what a game to fix.

To sell out your team instead off playing to win and reaching a world cup final.

That would be an ultimate low for any player to do such a thing!

 

[Namak_Halaal]

@NH.

You sound like a zombie parrot there. "The 90s , the 90s you claim, you claim."

One answer is enough to challenge your nonsense.

@
The 90s is a long period and refers to 10 years. Nowhere have i made any such claims that the 90s were the Great MatchFixing era. You seem to desperately want me or anyone for that matter to start chorusing pro or against the existence of matchfixing. Maybe you should examine your within, to understand where this need stems from.

What a blagger you really are! Now that you’ve been pulled up on your nonsense you attempt to change your story - drum roll please . . . . .

Match fixing in India was huge those days. So wouldn't be surprised if this one was. However, claiming it was fixed without providing sufficient proof takes away credit from a rampaging Sri Lankan team that year.

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showpost.php?p=4329142&postcount=90

You go as far as saying you wouldn't be surprised if the SF was fixed, but then demand proof.

Mongia and Prabhkar were banned during their playing days for bizarre batting patterns while chasing in an ODI.

I already knew they were banned, but you were still living in the realms of "possibly."

Proving my point once again.

Dude, you seem to be mistaking me for Sarfraz or Basit or whoever. Calm down.

Humour is no defence for the ineptitude you demonstrate. After all your trumpet blowing the best you could muster was one match, yet you claim match fixing was all the rage in the 90s.

How does this logic sit in line with your persistent demand for proof?

You've clearly not had any experience in this regard, so best you don't comment.

I have had no experience yet you associated me with fixing, hmmm, best you think before you comment.

And you get all *****ly when I ask you if you are severely retarded.

Nothing pleases me more than the site of an Indian fan denying reality only to wriggle out of their nonsense like a poisonous snake.

Come back to me when you get your story straight.

 

[Namak_Halaal]

^ N_H, match fixing was common in the 90s, I think that much is accepted.

The question is, does that mean that we must regard every match involving the likes of Azharuddin/Jadeja that contained a batting collapse, as being fixed?

Do you honestly think it's as simple as that?

I’m afraid that’s the way it is.

Every match involving Azharuddin/Jadeja should be scrutinized, but the point I am making in this thread is that certain matches raise enough suspicions to the extent an investigation is carried out and 96WC SF was one of them.

We all sat here and talked of that Pak vs Aus test in 2010, the match had suspect written all over it, but no, proof was demanded. Well, no suspicions, no whistle blower, no convictions.

There’s an old saying, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

 

[ballyho]

I already knew they were banned, but you were still living in the realms of "possibly."

Proving my point once again.

Man, the problem with you is you just jump the gun with your preconceived little ditties.

They were banned for a few games for giving up the chase in an ODI vs West Indies (I think, it was WI, not sure). Prabhakar got a hundred and they suddenly started leaving balls and running the odd single. They were therefore banned for going against the spirit of the game. Not for match fixing.

Repeat. Not for match fixing.

They then continued to play before being finally banned along with Azhar and Jadeja following the Cronje investigations. Unlike with Azhar and Jadeja (as I said before), there wasn't anything concrete against them. If you know of any such evidence, do tell. Don't bother, if it's going to be one of your, "This game was suspicious, and that is evidence" arguments.

After all your trumpet blowing the best you could muster was one match, yet you claim match fixing was all the rage in the 90s.

Stop putting words in people's mouths while trying to slither your way around this.

I have had no experience yet you associated me with fixing, hmmm, best you think before you comment.

I meant, you've clearly not played any sort of cricket even at the gulli level - else you'd know how crazy things happen in tight games. Once again, your obsession with fixing continues to interpret things the way it wants to.

________


Finally, you seem to have based your entire presumption about me being some sort of "Oh, the entire 90s, they were mad man" crusader based on my 1 line - "Match fixing in India was huge those days." That is around 1996.

The matches I referred to as being proven to have been fixed were played in 1998. If you consider the fact that they actually dared to run SRT out, they were obviously secure and fairly experienced with pulling things like that.

You might repeatedly try and deny that the SRT phenomenon justifiably exists, but to pull something off against him required a big effort and backing.

And yeah, I do believe that Azhar and Jadeja were certainly guilty based on just 1 match.

That's all I need - 1 match where things discussed and predicted in conversations between bookies/ players actually happens. Just having suspicious collapses in a game doesn't do it for me.

 

[Namak_Halaal]

Stop putting words in people's mouths while trying to slither your way around this.

Match fixing in India was huge those days. So wouldn't be surprised if this one was. However, claiming it was fixed without providing sufficient proof takes away credit from a rampaging Sri Lankan team that year.

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showpost.php?p=4329142&postcount=90


I am putting words in your mouth? Says you who claimed I was involved in fixing!

That's all I need - 1 match where things discussed and predicted in conversations between bookies/ players actually happens. Just having suspicious collapses in a game doesn't do it for me.

) ) )

All you need? 1 piece of proof and match fixing was HUGE in the 90s according to you. This is exactly why your logic is bankrupt. You demand proof of match fixing otherwise you will not believe it occurs, yet, one proof is enough for you to draw the conclusion that fixing was HUGE in the 90s.

Rest of your post is just wishy washy drama in an attempt to cover up the gaping holes in your thinking. Back tracking, cop outs, and back pedalling – typical.

 

[ballyho]

Says you who claimed I was involved...om the dead and try to have the last word in.

 

[Namak_Halaal]

Your grave won't have an epitaph. Because you'd rise from the dead and try to have the last word in.

There it is. The good old character assassination play.

When all else fails, break glass in case of emergency.

 

[ballyho]

There it is. The good old character assassination play.

When all else fails, break glass in case of emergency.

Your grave won't have an epitaph. Because you'd rise from the dead and try to have the last word in.

 

[Last Monetarist]

On this day 1996:

A couple of days after India's brilliant triumph against Pakistan came a day they will wish to forget. It started off well enough with Javagal Srinath picking up two big wickets in the first over, but then came possibly the best counterattacking cameo innings in the history of ODI cricket: 66 off 47 balls on a pitch turning square. The sheer bravado by Aravinda de Silva in that innings alone deserved the World Cup trophy at the end.

The pitch at the Eden Gardens was a disgrace, the crowd behaviour even more so.

 

[MenInG]

Duleep Mendis, the former Sri Lankan captain who provided Arjuna Ranatunga’s men with tactical support as the team manager at the 1996 World Cup, said the foundation for their greatest cricketing triumph was laid in Pakistan one year before the big event.

Now as Sri Lanka celebrates 25 years of their World Cup triumph, Mendis revealed why the team went into that tournament with such confidence.

Mendis had joined hands with head coach Dav Whatmore of Australia in 1995 as the Lankans made a serious bid to win their first World Cup, having never gone out of the group stages of the big event in the past.

“Dave and Alex (Kountouris), the physio, both contributed a lot. Because we wanted something new in the system, and Alex brought in lot of changes in terms of players fitness, and Dav was very helpful as far as coaching is concerned,” Mendis, who is now coaching the Oman national team, told Khaleej Times over phone from Muscat.

“Myself, Alex and Dav started our partnership in the 1995 series in Pakistan. And we beat Pakistan in Pakistan in the Tests and ODIs. Then we won a tournament in Sharjah (featuring Pakistan and West Indies) before going to Australia. So, it was a good build up and the crowning glory was in Lahore.”

In Lahore, Sri Lanka became the first team in a World Cup final to successfully chase a target, eclipsing Australia’s 241 with a hundred from Aravinda de Silva (107 not out, 124 balls) and fine knocks from Asanka Gurusinha (65, 99 balls) and captain Arjuna Ranatunga (47 not out, 37 balls).

Mendis said Ranatunga instilled belief in the team that they could take on anybody, especially after the Muttiah Muralitharan no-ball incident in Australia.

“Arjuna was very aggressive as captain. He was bold enough to take decisions and he would lead by example,” Mendis said.

“By nature, I would not say that he was aggressive. But when he entered the cricket field, he was a different person. He wanted to fight for justice and he was a person who wanted to win.

“He was a very bold captain. And also, fortunately, we had Aravinda de Silva who was a master tactician. He would give all the necessary assistance on the field and back Arjuna. Aravinda was a very good vice-captain for the team.”

Mendis, who helped Oman qualify for this year’s T20 World Cup in India, said Australia’s refusal to play the 1996 World Cup league match in Sri Lanka also motivated Ranatunga’s men to go all the way.

“At the start, when they refused to come, it was very demoralising. We knew there were issues, but for that matter, most of the countries, have had issues. But we were very thankful to India and Pakistan for sending a joint team for an exhibition game to show solidarity,” Mendis said.

“Also, I must say, the last tour to Australia just before the World Cup, put the whole team together. We did not have to do anything to motivate them to beat Australia because Australia themselves motivated Sri Lanka to beat them.

“You know the Murali incident happened and it motivated the whole team to become one unit. That was the motivational factor for them to go into that World Cup and they wanted to beat Australia. And when they met them in the final, they all wanted to win that match.”

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/...for-1996-world-cup-victory-says-duleep-mendis