Respecting our players as ASSETS - 2nd test between South Africa and Pakistan

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This scoreline doesn't show what actually happened during the day.

The second and final Test between South Africa and Pakistan at Cape Town began with Pakistan's bowling attack being thoroughly exposed—exactly as I had anticipated. Facing a world-class side like South Africa on their home turf, it was unrealistic to expect them to crumble easily, especially after the humiliation of a 3-0 whitewash in the ODI series. The hosts were never going to make themselves easy prey, and Pakistan's lackluster performance on the first day only confirmed this reality.

This outcome wasn't surprising but rather a consequence of predictable errors we've seen repeatedly since the England series. The management’s failure to address persistent tactical flaws, over-relying on a limited set of bowlers while failing to adapt strategies, is glaring. Pakistan’s approach lacked both depth and adaptability, raising serious questions about decision-making from the backend.

It’s disheartening to witness our bowlers, especially someone as talented as Mohammad Abbas, being overworked and exposed without proper rotation or tactical adjustments. South Africa’s counterattack was inevitable, and the failure to prepare for it reflects poor planning, not just on the field but in the dressing room strategies as well.

The writing was on the wall—Pakistan’s bowling limitations have been evident for a while. If the management continues to recycle the same mistakes without accountability, how can we expect different results? Cricket is not just about talent on the field; it's about smart leadership, calculated planning, and the courage to break patterns that aren't working. Unfortunately, Pakistan’s current management seems far from embracing that mindset.

Currently 

300+ score with only lost of 5 wickets, South Africa showing its power on home soil, for which I personally feel, it is going to be a whitewash for Pakistan.

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Respecting our players as ASSETS

Contrasting gestures in one single frame

As I pen down these thoughts, a poignant image comes to mind: South Africa celebrating a nail-biting victory, while the Man-of-the-Moment for Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas, stood heartbroken. Despite his spirited and zealous performance, especially after his heroics at Centurion, he had to endure the bitter taste of defeat. This stark contrast in emotions underscores the impact of our management's shortcomings on our players, highlighting the need for a more thoughtful and strategic approach to support and nurture our cricketing talent. 

گرتے ہیں شہ سوار میدان جنگ میں

While writing these lines, I couldn't help but recall a striking image: South Africa celebrating their cliffhanger victory, while Pakistan's Man-of-the-Moment, Mohammad Abbas, stood heartbroken. After his heroic efforts at Centurion, he was left to face the bitterness of defeat. This isn't just a personal setback for Abbas but a reflection of a deeper issue within our team management.

Fast bowlers like Abbas should be treated as valuable assets, yet we've overused and mismanaged them. This isn't justifiable when there are other players on the field who could have shared the burden. Why couldn’t Shaan Masood and the respected management team communicate more effectively to manage the bowlers better? This lack of strategic planning has exposed Abbas to international scrutiny, diminishing his effectiveness and risking his career.

As I reflect on this, an image of South Africa's celebration juxtaposed with Abbas's heartbreak underscores the mismanagement's impact on our players. Despite his enthusiasm and zeal, Abbas had to deal with defeat due to a lack of support from the management. This isn't just a failure; it's a betrayal of our players' dedication and hard work.

In conclusion, it’s imperative that we adopt a more strategic and compassionate approach to managing our cricket talent. Fast bowlers like Mohammad Abbas deserve better. They need proper rotation, rest, and support to perform at their best and avoid injuries. Our management needs to take a proactive role, ensuring that our players are not overburdened and are utilized effectively.

A Critical Examination: Mismanagement in Pakistani Cricket

This issue extends beyond the captain to encompass the entire management team seated in the players' section, who share equal responsibility. A deeply troubling observation I've made is that, much like the way many Pakistanis misuse and abuse public facilities, we have similarly mishandled Mohammad Abbas (MA). This is my personal opinion, and I might be mistaken in my assessment, but I strongly feel that in longer formats, we should treat our bowlers, especially fast bowlers, as valuable assets. This perceived mishandling is why I used the term "abused"—a harsh word, I admit, but necessary to convey my concern.

During matches, there are ten other players on the field, and aside from MA, there are three more bowlers. Why couldn’t Shaan Masood and the respected management team communicate effectively on the field to manage the bowlers better? We must take responsibility for this oversight because, through such actions, we have exposed Mohammad Abbas to international scrutiny.

Do we not realize that other teams’ managements review MA's performance videos? It’s not just South Africa; globally, teams analyze every player's strength and weakness. I was browsing through the Archives Section of SuperSport, known for their comprehensive documentaries. It’s naive to think they haven’t studied MA’s footage in detail. Again, I apologize for my harsh words, but this is reflective of a broader issue: as a nation, we are mismanaging and consequently undermining our own talent on the global stage.

In this context, the failure to properly utilize Mohammad Abbas highlights a critical flaw in our management strategy. It’s not just about one player but a systemic issue where the overall approach lacks foresight and strategic depth. Fast bowlers are prone to fatigue and injury, especially in long formats, and yet we have repeatedly seen them overused without proper rotation or rest. This not only risks their health but also diminishes their effectiveness over time.

Shaan Masood and the management team need to take a more proactive role in field decisions. Effective communication and strategic planning are essential to ensure that our bowlers are not overburdened. The lack of such measures not only hampers individual performance but also affects the team's overall effectiveness.

Furthermore, by not addressing these issues, we allow international teams to exploit our weaknesses. They observe, analyze, and strategize accordingly. This lack of internal management acumen puts our players at a disadvantage even before they step onto the field. It’s imperative that we recognize these shortcomings and work towards a more balanced and sustainable approach to player management.

In conclusion, the need for better management and strategic use of our players, particularly bowlers like Mohammad Abbas, cannot be overstated. It's a call for introspection and improvement within our cricketing framework to ensure we are nurturing and protecting our talent, not inadvertently exposing and exhausting them. Let’s learn from these missteps and strive towards a more competent and supportive environment for our cricketers. 

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South Africa v Pakistan - Centurion test - Pakistan on brink of a lost

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Time is not constraint here, instead Pakistan could only win when they take wickets, otherwise game is easily on South Africa's grasp, furthermore Proteas are definitely on the verge of avenging their lost in the ODI series.

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Standings after South Africa and Afghanistan game

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Cliffhanger - India v South Africa game

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Today's game, between India and South Africa being played when Virat Kohli scored his 50th century on his birthday, 326/5 wickets whereas South Africa have been 37/3 while 11.3 overs bowled, which exposes the fact that South Africa's middle order getting exposed for the third time, keeping in mind previously it was against Netherlands and Pakistan while their middle order was exposed, so this ODI is surely gonna be another expose' for their middle order.

Update

India won the game against Proteas by 243 runs, which means South Africa tasted their own medicine, for which being my competitors, I personally would like to confess that India definitely on red-hot-form, hence I was right in my assessment, that India drilled into South Africa's "untested" middle order, for which personally (again) would like to confess (although a very hard confession, but still being a sports-loving individual) have to admire the hard-work India's think-tank (unlike Pakistan's) working really hard to bring glory to their country, but the same sans when it comes to Pakistan's scenario, because it was eminent that Pakistan's spin department is not potent, because the same was exposed during Asia Cup and the three ODI games Pakistan played against Afghanistan, but still keeping Abrar in touring reserves, instead of moving towards contingency plan, because PAKISTAN WAS DEFINITELY ON THE EMERGENCY way before Asia Cup, because if my memory recalls me correctly, The X (formerly Twitter) was filled with messages on Pakistan's prospects for CWC, and everyone mentioned spin department, but even then Pathetic Pakistan Cricket Board Media Cell was not able to take feedback off the social media (although they have been selecting teams on social media support) but still not able to look into social media feedback how we are looking on to Pakistan's prospects, beneficiary management assessment definitely requires off PCB for whom they are giving benefit to.

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Klaasen you beauty

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El-classico at Dharamsala on 17th October, 2023

El-classico encounter on 17th October 2023 when South Africa encounters with the Netherlands, where
recently when these two teams met at an ICC tournament, i.e., ICC World Twenty20 which was played in Australia during 2022, which paved the way for Pakistan to play the final of that tournament.

Although on paper, Proteas are stronger, but every day is a new fresh day, hence keeping fingers crossed.

While England was thrashed by Afghanistan, I would have blindly onus to Proteas for this game, but
afterwards this particular game, I am having different thoughts for this particular game, because this particular format also saw England thrashed by Ireland, and speaking of Ireland, it was Ireland which spanked Pakistan outside ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, and likewise on the other hand, it was Bangladesh which returned the same favor towards India, and this was one of those tournaments, where Pakistan and India both were knocked out of the tournament, which made this tournament little bit boring, but likewise tomorrow's game is surely going to create a newer arena in 50 overs cricket matches, and hence I am still going to play آپ بھی ٹھیک ہیں، ہم بھی ٹھیک ہیں، ہم دونوں ساتھ ساتھ ہیں (diplomatically speaking) but it is a good thing that associates are raising their standards, which is good for International Cricket.  

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After Australia v South Africa game!

What is next for Pakistan?

Things are tricky when it comes to Pakistan, after India game, Pakistan is supposed to be playing Australia, whom after two defeats, might come hard of Pakistan, even Pakistan is guilty of giving form to others, and I am not expecting Pakistan to easily go into the semis, because the form South Africa showing right now; is posing threat for Pakistanis.

Maybe this time, it is Africa!

This might be a far-fetched thinking, but I personally feel, South Africa seems a complete package, and I am eyeing on Proteas to directly include themselves into Semis, but way AFTER semi-final is dicey, and whatever the team starts their momentum preceding the tournament, is surely gonna win the tournament, because the current format is all about generating the momentum.

Favorites tag

Favorites tag is something which is gonna haunt teams while this tournament is going to be finalized, but still Pakistan still have to go through to the tournament.because Pakistan yet to play Australia, Afghanistan, than South Africa, afterwards Bangladesh, New Zealand and last match before semis, is England game.

No opening ceremony on start of the tournament instead of prioritizing INDIA-PAKISTAN game, is unjust to Participating Teams

I usually use a term, creating a precedence, promoting/glamorizing such illegal tactics, where you initiate the tournament without opening ceremony, but actually opening ceremony is placed after 11 games, as Pakistan-India game is 12th game, whereas opening ceremony is supposedly how tournament starts, means after India-Pakistan game, they are starting the official tournament, otherwise right now we were watching starters.

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Clash of two team, who have stakes from tomorrow's game

As we are experiencing from the standings of these two teams which are competing tomorrow which is going to be played at Lucknow, which is also the first game being played at the same venue, but one team is coming off the win against Sri Lanka while scoring three centurions, whereas the other team is
unlikely coming off a defeat against the Indians at Chennai, and since taking reference from it's precedence i.e., 2019, Net Run Rate i.e., NRR is surely going to play a pivotal role in determining a position in semi-final berth. because if we recall Pakistan's experiences, Pakistan was not able to qualify just because. the first game which Pakistan played against West Indies, Pakistan suffered with such an heavy dent on NRR, when Pakistan was -5 NRR, approximate, so ask for Proteas is nowhere easy because although on the paper, South Africa seems to be on stable condition, but still South Africa is prone for a dent, and I personally feel that I am expecting after tomorrow's game, a NRR of at least 1 to 1.5, because I am expecting Australia is surely going to come hard, because yesterday's game of SL v Pakistan, is a remanence of what to expect off future games mindset and mood of the tournament for future games

 

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Well fought Sri Lanka - but Proteas played really well | Curtains for Pakistan #CWC2023 | #SLvSA | #SAvSL |

Current rankings after completion of #SLvSA game, where "tables have turned upside down" as after completion of this game, Pakistan have been shifted to 3rd position whereas Proteas have kickstarted their #CWC2023 campaign with a bang, and not to forget their "healthy" NRR, let's see how tomorrow's biggest game i.e., Australia and India; ends up, it could be either Indians celebrating at the end of the game, otherwise it would be other way round, but Indian team after losing their initial game is something Pakistan won't be wishing, because in that way, Indians are surely going to hit Pakistan really hard, because they next game for India is against their arch-rivals Pakistan, and slowly I am seeing pressure diverting tactics from Indian team to Pakistan whereas again Pakistan has been shown (because I personally feel, Pakistan still not even favorite for touching semi-final spot) as favorites for going through semis, بھائی کیا دوسری ٹیمیں کیا چھم چھم کھیلنے آئی ہیں کیا؟؟؟ 
My request to fellow Pakistanis is to take responsibility in easing down this pressure over our team, because this is our team which we are talking about, and as per Mr. Vikrant Gupta, I also agree with him, Pakistan perform well while none expect anything off them.

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A cliffhanger expectations #SAvSL #CWC2023

Right now while I am writing these lines, South Africa v Sri Lanka game at Delhi being played, where at first when Proteas placed a mammoth target, but Sri Lanka is fighting back although probability is Proteas are going to win this game at any cost.

But it expected that Proteas are gonna win the game, but as I mentioned earlier, the format of this tournament is highly dependent on NRR, earlier after conclusion of Afghanistan v Bangladesh game concluded with a Bangladesh winning but Afghanistan was spared with NRR, where while comparing with those teams which lost their first game of the tournament, their NRR is by comparison still at par, which is DEFINITELY the reason going to decide the fate of many teams at the end part of the tournament, 

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2nd Test Match - South Africa tour of Pakistan 2021

South Africa tour of Pakistan

First of all, thanks to Proteas for touring Pakistan in these pandemic scenario where Australians have refused to do the same to South Africa amid the pandemic situation.

A disclaimer before I continue further

The points I am going to raise here are of my own points, and from no point that I am willing to impose my points instead I am just placing my feedback/suggestion regarding the same because being a passionate cricket fan from Pakistan, (although not regular on the scene but still follow Pakistan cricket passionately)

Furthermore; this article is not about how Pakistan is playing this test match but other things which are mattering; which were sans during previous series' played within the country off late.

Things I liked about this current series played in Pakistan

A Standardized Coverage standard 

For the first time after many years, Pakistan had its own Production, although it has been a nubile attempt but still they have opt for home grown production team having collaboration with a Singapore-based production team working along-with PTV and TransGroup, is heartening to see in Pakistan.

Improvement of Equipment

Due to global pandemic situation, importance of Television  Production has increased drastically, because even if we take account of regional Cricket Boards sans BCCI (not because I am anti-Indian, but the fact is; they along with Bangladesh had incorporated home-grown production team; otherwise Pakistan and Sri Lanka used to utilize pre-designed templates to go with, but amid the production debacle during early stage of PSL-V when the original broadcaster opt out of the later coverage of PSL-V and hence in the matter of days, the PSL and PCB had to arrange alternative, and this is when Pakistan had decided to go for a permanent solution and reduce dependency of Indian Based Broadcasters (again No Offense to Indians) but the Sri Lankans followed the same while having IPG Group did the same for SL like TransGroup did for Pakistan.

Good Details

First time in many years I had found a Pakistan cricket coverage so detailed, intriguing and worthy information; just like Hawkeye, Buggy-Cam, Back-Stump Cam view etc are something to worth mentioning for which Pakistan Cricket Board requires pat on the back for the effort, for showing up guts to present Pakistan Cricket as a Package of Product, not a bi-product of individual brilliance.

Things I didn't like / Things which could be improved

Just like there is margin of improvement in every aspect, sudden change is not appreciated by any professional, instead small improvement being made from the span of time period is something appreciated, just like I'd like to bring this thing into notice of masses that when British Sky Sports came up with current presentation template, they persist with it because under the same presentation Younus Khan scored his double hundred, and recently when Pakistan toured England in 2020, it was the same thing but with added additions, and similarly NZ Prime Sports, they have also persisted because of which they have gone with a standard set of presentation, and easier understanding of what data being shown/elaborated on their Info-Bar, have been given ample importance.

About Info-Bar

This is nowhere I am saying to scrap the current presentation template, but there are two major things I would like to bring into consideration;

•  Consistency In Presentation
• Because previously when Pakistan had its home series against Zimbabwe, comprising of ODI and T20 series, the graphical presentation of the series' was totally different from the current presentation, so I would like to have PCB go with the same presentation pattern for future Pakistan's home series' so that people/audience/viewers could easily understand the presentation.

• Interest of Masses in Current Presentation
• One should make sure that not much of the exuberant/drastic changes should be made into current presentation style, instead one should go for slow-and-steady improvement into presentation style, so that your audience could relate presentation style to Pakistan Cricket, just like British Sky Sports presentation is associated with England, Fox Sports with Australia, Prime Sports with NZ, Star Sports with India, Gazi TV with Bangladesh, same should be the case with Pakistan Cricket, because like I mentioned above, now it is the presentation that counts in current pandemic situation globally.

• Info-bar should comprise of 
• The current info-bar should comprise of four sections, where extreme left and extreme right sections of the info-bar should be constant, left-hand-side should comprise of Score, Overs, Target/Deficit (in case there is a test match and/or there is first/second innings of the test match or ODI/T20); 
• Extreme Right-Hand-Side position should permanently present bowling statistics, like bowler currently bowling, with its bowling timeline, speed meter, 
• The Mid-section should be optional whether a 2 section-mid-portion otherwise a single-whole-section where variety of information should be shown, because in current presentation I had found it difficult to go with the data shown, because main data like for instance number of overs bowled, and overs left in the day were overlapped with current batters playing on the crease, which is disturbing for the likes of cricket enthusiasts like me and many more who'd go for Info-Bar for viewing such information instead of going for ESPNcricinfo and/or CricBuzz for such detailed information.

• Instead of;
• Showing sponsors details on hovering-graphics, such things should be utilized for details like field positions, bowling statistics etc, which should keep your audience stick to TV screens instead of going to ESPNcricinfo and/or CricBuzz for going through such details.
• Because the importance of a powerful presentation is stimulate the viewer to stick to TV presentation; and this thing can only be achieved if TV presentation is correlative; because if a viewer is shifting from TV presentation to Online Cricketing Website(s) for achievement of different statistics, you're losing/releasing/leaking audience by this way.

I personally feel such smaller things could be improved in order to cease leakage of audience from viewing Pakistan Cricket as a product.

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Should WTC games be rerun in 2021?

Currently, the pandemic going on in today's time, it is highly unlikely that cricket games would not gain confidence of the international fraternity to stage international games at home and away (home of away team), therefore I personally feel it is highly unlikely that even ICC World T20 Event 2020 in Australia is not going to occur, where a single game ends within 3 hours, unlike a test match game where there are 3 sessions a day; A standard day of Test cricket consists of three sessions of two hours each, the breaks between sessions being 40 minutes for lunch and 20 minutes for tea. Means if there are 2 test matches in a series, therefore a single test match would contain 15 hours of playing sessions, which means a 2 test match series would have 30 hours of playing sessions, which in today's scenario is not the case that even a non-test match playing nation would risk playing on home nor foreign soil for such long span of time.

The World Test Championship should be played next year

Why I am advocating for its postponement?

Keeping in mind the today's scenario, where every single individual is and have been skeptical of each and every single thing like washing hands, touching staircases nor handshaking with our fellow colleagues etc. and hence under such circumstances if we opt for staging a single bilateral series between two teams is a dream of a dreamer these days, let alone a test match series which at least have a 2 test match series and like I mentioned above, there are 3 session a day, and there are 5 days a test match, therefore there are 15 hours of playing test match duration, and for that purpose, it is a potential risk of getting contaminated with the said contagion.

This is the main reason;

Because the game of cricket especially the test match cricket, is the game of sheer concentration, where it is like one is sewing a proper dress, which can either be a 3 piece suit, a shalwar suit, a casual tee shirt, or an un-stitched shorts, and for the purpose concentration is the main thing, and in current scenario, it is even harder for a player like the great Inzamam ul Haq to concentrate on the game amid the ongoing pandemic.

World Test Championship

Current Scenarios

The current remaining game of WTC

World Test Championship Calendar

Current remaining games of WTC excluding the postponed Pakistan v Bangladesh 2nd game at Karachi

Current World Test Championship Standings

This is the current WTC standings till April 20th, 2020

In case, if none of the WTC games being played in 2020, than under the current scenarios, those games are deemed to be called as a drawn game, and in such scenario where the game is not able to be completed under the current playing conditions where there is a global pandemic situation, and hence any single individual couldn't ignore this fact for sure, such game is going to be called a No result, where a "no result" is recorded if a limited over match which has been started cannot be completed, which usually occurs if weather or light interrupts play. The result is effectively the same as a draw.

In case, if all remaining games of WTC couldn't occur, such scenarios are expected

What I personally feel if we do not rerun these games at a later time?

It'd be unjust for some teams especially England and South Africa because in case of England, England is having all two games in their own backyard against the West Indies and Pakistan, where in their own den, England is definitely power to watch for and under current circumstances, they are deemed favourites for beating both and that too comprehensively, therefore England is surely going to show its displeasure in sharing those points with their opponents which England is surely going to oppose, considering their current lot of cricketers, and reconsider the fact that they are current ODI cricket champions, therefore being an unbiased cricket fan, I personally feel it is going to be unjust for some countries for sure.

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The Hansie Cronje' Chronicles

Hansie Cronje could have had been a hero for all
young cricketers when he went all South.

Sorry to say but this is the reality of modern day world, where we have ended being human and instead monetized ourselves, like we say in Urdu, جو ہوگا دیکھا جائے گا، ابھی تو کرنے دو۔ (let us do what we want, who has seen the future), this is a shameful reality of our-so-called-modern-society, where everything including life of a living human being is monetized which itself is a non-living-thing.

Greed is evil

Evil as red, this is literally like a devil's advocate which is center of all conspiracy when it comes to current modern world conflict(s) we are seeing in our living times, which is a shame that where are we heading towards? Are we acting like human beings? This is the QUESTION we should all ask from our-own-selves instead of pointing fingers on others as if we play god.

1. The first blow

April 7, 2000 Delhi police charge Hansie Cronje with fixing South Africa's ODIs against India in March for money. They also release transcripts of an alleged conversation between Cronje and an Indian businessman, suggested to be a bookie, Sanjay Chawla. The conversation is about who is playing and who is not, who is in on the "deal", the amount alleged to be paid to Cronje and his team-mates Herschelle Gibbs, Pieter Strydom and Nicky Boje. Cronje denies any involvement in the matter, and the South African board, former players and media rally behind him.

2. Cronje's denial

April 9, 2000 South Africa's captain continues to stand his ground, saying at a press conference: "I want to make it 100% clear that I deny ever receiving any sum of money during the one-day international series in India. I want to also make it absolutely clear I have never spoken to any member of the team about throwing a game."

3. Cronje confesses

April 11, 2000 The South African board sacks Cronje after he calls the board's managing director, Ali Bacher, at 3am and admits he "had been dishonest" over his activities in India. Cronje acknowledges receiving $10,000 to 15,000 for "providing information and forecast but not match-fixing" during the one-day series in India.

4. Dodgy Test investigated

April 12, 2000 The South African board says the controversial fifth Test between South Africa and England at Centurion in January, during which both sides forfeited an innings at Cronje's suggestion, will be investigated as part of the inquiry into match-fixing allegations.

5. The Indian government steps in

April 28, 2000 The Indian government orders the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe the match-fixing allegations and to find out whether any Indian cricketer or official was involved.

6. The King Commission inquiry

June 7, 2000 Former South African cricketer Pat Symcox testifies before the King Commission, which is inquiring into the Cronje scandal, that he had been approached by Cronje about "throwing" a match against Pakistan during the 1994-95 season. He also confirms that during a team meeting in Mumbai in 1996, Cronje had conveyed an offer of $250,000 dollars to lose a one-dayer.

7. A damning confession

June 8, 2000 Herschelle Gibbs effectively seals Cronje's fate, confessing he had accepted an offer from his former captain to make less than 20 runs in a one-day match in India earlier in the year in exchange for $15,000.

8. More South African players' testification

June 9, 2000 Nicky Boje, one of those named in the match-fixing case by the Delhi police, tells the King Commission he was shocked to hear his name linked to the scandal and said Cronje had never approached him with an offer to play badly. Seam bowler Henry Williams testifies that he had been offered $15,000 by Cronje to bowl expensively in a one-day international in India earlier in the year. Pieter Strydom reveals that he had been offered money by Cronje before the first Test against India in Mumbai in February.

9. Cronje offered immunity

June 10, 2000 After three days of damaging revelations during the King Commission hearings, Cronje is offered immunity from criminal prosecution in South Africa if he makes a full disclosure about his role in match-fixing.

10. Kallis' testimony

June 13, 2000 Jacques Kallis corroborates evidence by Mark Boucher and Lance Klusener that Cronje had made an offer to the three players in a hotel room before the second Test against India in Bangalore in March 2000.

11. Cronje accuses Azhar

June 15, 2000 Cronje confesses to taking about $100,000 in bribes from gamblers since 1996, but he claims that he had never thrown or fixed a match. He also announces his retirement from cricket. Cronje tells the King Commission that former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin had introduced him to a bookie who offered him money to throw a 1996 Test match during South Africa's tour of India. Azharuddin calls the allegation "rubbish".

12. Cronje breaks down

June 23, 2000 Cronje is led away in tears after his three-day cross examination by the King Commission ends in Cape Town. He gives evidence clearly and admits that he accepted money from bookmakers and says his "great passion of the game and for my team-mates'' was matched by "an unfortunate love of money".

13. Paul Condon heads ICC investigation

June 26, 2000 Cronje begs forgiveness for his involvement in illicit gambling deals after the first round of hearings of the King Commission closes.

A former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Paul Condon, is appointed director of the ICC's anti-corruption investigation.

14. Two South African players barred for representing South Africa

August 28, 2000 The UCBSA bans Herschelle Gibbs and Henry Williams from international cricket until December 31, 2000, for their role in the match-fixing scandal. Pieter Strydom, is acquitted of conspiring to bet on the outcome of the Centurion Test againt England in January.

15. A Life ban sentence for Cronje

October 11, 2000 The UCBSA imposes a life ban on Cronje. The ban, which was widely expected, extends to all the UCBSA's related cricket activities as well as that of its affiliates.

16. Death of Hansie Cronje

June 1, 2002 Cronje dies aged 32 when the light cargo plane in which he was travelling in crashed into mountains near the coastal town of George in bad weather. Four years later, an inquest into his death reveals that the crash was caused due to pilot negligence.

17. Boje skips India tour

November 3, 2004 Nicky Boje pulls out of a two-Test tour of India after being told he might be detained by Indian police over their match-fixing investigations.

18. Gibbs questioned

October 12, 2006 The Delhi police question Herschelle Gibbs for over two hours about the South Africa tour of India in 2000. Gibbs allegedly names Derek Crookes, the former South Africa spinner, as being involved in match-fixing. Crookes denies the allegation, saying he was cleared by the King Commission.

19. Crookes declares innocence

October 13, 2006 Derek Crookes expresses shock at being linked to the fixing allegations after being cleared by the King Commission. Offers to cooperate with the Delhi police.

20. Boje questioned by the Delhi police

December 11, 2007 Nicky Boje, playing in India (for the Indian Cricket League) for the first time since 2000, is questioned by Delhi police. He denies any role in match-fixing.

21. Cronje barred from Hall of Fame

March 17, 2008 Cronje will not be posthumously inducted into South Africa's Sports Hall of Fame.

22. Cronje named in chargesheet

July 22, 2013 More than 13 years after the scandal broke, Cronje is the only cricketer named in the chargesheet filed by the Delhi Police relating to the match-fixing case of 2000. The charge sheet includes several bookies. 

In nutshell

It is a definite lesson for us commoners to live withing our limits and try to be contented with what we have got, because it is definitely a long shot to earn quick money in short amount of time, but along with the risk, where your life isn't going to be the same again, so why bargain your personal life individuality, and the fame we could had earned by playing with honesty, Hansie might have had been a role model for future cricketers all around the world, but he bargained this opportunity with match fixing and the country, which is why it is said by wise and elders, not to involve money where it is not recommended and could be done with alternatives.

Material and Dates Data Credit: ESPNcricinfo

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