UNFORTUNATELY cricket is yet again under controversy since five Indian players are found guilty of match-fixing in the current IPL season.

The element of match-fixing in cricket has badly defiled and tarnished the spirit of the game. If we look at the history of cricket we can find a number of such cases.

The recurrence of such incidents is an eye-opener for the ICC. Unfortunately, match-fixing is the bane of cricket these days. Glamourisation and commercialisation of cricket has totally changed the way cricket was played.

Players now play just for the sake of money. The role of the International Cricket Council (ICC) is undoubtedly questionable.

No drastic measures have been taken yet to keep corruption out of cricket.

Time has come to restore the image of the game, and the ICC must take a step to eradicate corruption.

There should be a system of complete checks and balances. Players should be observed off the field, their phones must be taped, their mailing accounts should be scrutinised. Such steps would certainly make players think before any adventure.

MUHAMMAD UMER Islamabad