5 instances of ball tampering that impacted World Cricket

Allegations of ball tampering are not always in black and white. There have been instances where cricketers have chosen to not contest an allegation in order to avoid a heftier fine which comes with disputing it. South African legend Barry Richards has called for legalizing ball tampering in order to weigh the scales fairly between batting and bowling. The question of is legality is a philosophical debate at this point as ball tampering is an illegal activity. Here is a look at 5 shocking instances of ball tampering in international cricket.

#1 Shahid Afridi can\'t resist the smell

Shahid Afridi captained Pakistan vs Australia in an ODI in January 2010 and received a two match ban for allegations of ball tampering. Apparently Afridi found that the ball held too grand an allure for his olfactory lobes. Here's his defense against the tampering charges: “I tried to smell it. There was some things on it that I tried to move."

His actions confounded the then Pakistani team coach Intikhab Alam as well, who wondered "Why he was acting like he's eating an apple?"

Denial was Afridi's first response. Later he commented "There is no team in the world that doesn't tamper with the ball. My methods were wrong. I am embarrassed, I shouldn't have done it. I just wanted to win us a game but this was the wrong way to do it.” After denial and rationalizing, in the third stage he tenders an unconditional apology. Afridi said “I don’t know what happened to me that made me do such a mad thing. It was not right and I apologise for my actions to everyone. What happened was very unfortunate and should not have happened. I have learnt from my mistake and will not repeat it again."

At that time Australia needed 35 runs of 30 balls with three wickets remaining. The ball being replaced and the captain being rattled would have swung momentum against Pakistan as they went on to lose.