LAHORE – Some of the former cricketers and officials feel sorry for the banned players, but have welcomed the ICC decision which would help clean off corruption from the game.
Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan believes that the trio should challenge the ICC commission’s decision if they are innocent. He said that the decision would not entirely end the practice of match-fixing or spot-fixing but would surely help control the menace.
Moin said that he believes that the ICC has solid evidence against these players. Moin further stated that there is a chance that Aamir would make a comeback in Pakistan cricket, but it seems that the careers of Salman and Asif are over.
“Although the decision is a bit harsh but I don’t think corruption would end from the sport,” he said and added that if the players are not involved in any wrongdoing, then they should go to the IOC Court of Arbitration.
Former great Zaheer Abbas said that the careers of these players have been ruined and the entire blame rests with the PCB because it let all this happen.
He said that was a great set back for Pakistan cricket. “The PCB should have taken action at the time the incidents came to the fore. It is the board which is responsible for all this. “Now the board should teach upcoming players what corruption can lead to,” said Zaheer.
Former chief selector Abdul Qadir said that the decision was too harsh for players involved in spot-fixing and it should have been reserved for match-fixers.
“I believe that the decision is too cruel. Such a heavy punishment should be given for match-fixing. The three players did not fix the game and were involved in fancy fixing, which did not change the complexion of the match.”
He further said that someone was behind this scenario and wanted to tarnish the image of Pakistan and particularly Pakistan cricket so that the team does not perform to its potential. Former PCB Chief Operating Officer Chishti Mujahid put the blame on PCB for taking Pakistan cricket to such consequences. “The problem lies with the board because it did not take prompt action and let the matter slip into the hands of the ICC.”
“Had the PCB took action at that time, the matter would not have reached such magnitude,” he added. Former ICC president Ehsan Mani said that the entire responsibility of the ban lies on the PCB. “As the decision has now come and the players have been banned, the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt should immediately resign because all this happened under his chairmanship,” he said.
He further said that there is no way the decision would be bias and people like Beloff are clean. He further said that the suspended sentences has in a sense help the players for a return if they stay clean and now its all up to the PCB to keep a check on these players. Former PCB official Arif Abbasi believes that the decision was expected as the PCB did not play its part in the issue.
“With suspended punishment, I believe the ICC has shown some leniency towards the players as they were also charged in Britain,” he said.
