ACCORDING to media reports, officials of the IPL have banned five players after match-fixing allegations which the BCCI will now investigate.

The Indian parliament also condemned the match-fixing in the IPL and demanded a fair investigation. Only a year ago IPL founder Lilyat Modi lost his position after serious allegations of corruption.

The reality is that due to commercialisation, investment of black money and match-fixing scandals the game of cricket is passingthrough a critical stage of its history.

In spite of some efforts, the ICC has failed to control match-fixing incidentsin internationalcricket.

Observers believe that investment of black money has increased in competitions like the IPL`s.

Now bookies are ruling over cricket grounds. Players who are involved in match-fixing are getting huge amounts of money as a reward. Several big names of cricket lost their reputation after involvement in match-fixing scandals. Cricket`s biggest scandalwas discovered in 2000 when former South African captain and national hero Hansie Cronje lost his reputation and career after match-fixing allegations.

Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja were also found guilty of match-fixing and were banned from playing cricket. Recently three Pakistani star players, including one former captain, were released from a British jail after spot-fixing.

KHAWAJA UMER FAROOQ Jeddah