Reviving Pakistan Cricket
By Arshad Shami
Phoenix, Arizona
It was indeed a black day in Pakistan cricket's history when three test players were awarded jail sentences for their involvement in spot fixing during the tour of England in August 2010. The three cricketers, ex-captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir, were awarded sentences by the Crown court in London. Salman Butt, according to the Judge, was the main culprit who was found guilty of fraud and conspiracy and was awarded two-and-a-half years in jail while Mohammad Asif was found guilty of accepting illegal money and got a one-year sentence. Aamir had earlier pleaded guilty and the judge took a lenient view of his offence and awarded him six months.
The judgment cast a gloom in cricket circles while cricket fans were shocked: they wanted the players to serve longer sentences as they had brought a bad name to Pakistan and betrayed the nation’s trust. Cricketers in the country are almost worshipped and loved by the fans who are crazy about the game and cannot stand any act that tarnishes the image of the game or the country.
Mazhar Majeed, the agent of these cricketers, who was also awarded two-and-a-half years in jail by the same judge, has also named a few more Pakistani cricketers who he claims were involved in match-fixing. It is imperative that the new Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board institutes an inquiry into the charges and brings the errant cricketers to book. I had always held the view that cricket all over the world was not clean any more. It is another matter that our cricketers have been caught and punished. It is absolutely imperative for the International Cricket Conference (ICC) to exercise stricter control over all cricketers.
It would not be out of place to mention here that a former captain of Sri Lanka had also named few cricketers who were involved in the abominable match-fixing act. Australian fast bowler Brit Lee too has unabashedly declared that match fixing is a common practice wherever cricket is played!
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi was asked why he did not indulge in the ugly practice of match-fixing. He said when we are getting honorable and reasonably good returns legally why should we indulge in such ugly practices which are neither in our self-interest nor in the interest of the nation. Mazhar Majeed in his testimony had conceded that he could not entice Shahid Afridi who refused to talk to him whenever he tried to contact him. This bespeaks of national character and family upbringing according to the teachings of our religion. Imran Khan has rightly said that he was sorry for Aamir and other cricketers but added, and rightly so, that since every one in the country is involved in corruption some cricketers too had decided to follow in their footsteps. That may be a very harsh statement but portrays the national scene and attitude.
Now that these cricketers have met their Waterloo it is imperative for the Board to take stringent measures to deal with erring cricketers. Ahsan Mani, former Chief of ICC, has revealed that if the PCB had taken action against the cricketers earlier when he had advised to the-then Board Chairman, matters would not have gone to that extent. The Board Chairman refused to listen to his advice and eventually the English authorities had to move in and deal with the situation.
The task before Zaka Ashaf is formidable but not unachievable. He has to take appropriate steps and pick up a team which in imbued with national pride. He has also to look at the fact that one of the leading spin bowlers of the country, Danish Kenaria, has been sidelined without any valid reasons. The case of Imran Nazir requires proper investigation so that this jewel of a cricketer is not lost to the game. Equally pressing is the claim of Faisal Iqbal.
Mercurial Shahid Afridi should be back in the team. He is one cricketer who refused to fall prey to Asif Majeed. Equally important would be the task of restoring several grounds and stadiums in the country. So too the decentralization of the game, empowering regional associations, colleges and inter-university sports boards. These institutions act as nurseries for grooming players. The new chief has declared that he will observe the setup before taking any drastic steps. This is the right policy and if followed with determination Zaka Ashraf is bound to succeed, and so would Pakistan cricket. - arshadshami@yahoo.com
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