Mohammad Irfan, one of the alleged culprits involved in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) spot-fixing scandal, has been suspended. The punishments for the rest will be announced over the course of next few weeks. Irfan’s fault was not reporting the communication with bookies to the authorities, which carries a punishment of at least six months. He has been suspended for a year. It is appreciable that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is taking the issue seriously and coordinating with the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU).
Since the corruption scandal broke out, many former cricketers and analysts have criticised the PCB for failing to curb the malpractices, especially following the 2010 embarrassment when Muhammad Amir, Muhammad Asif and Salman Butt were banned for involvement in corruption. The cricket pundits have valid questions but PCB’s action is the best way forward. Media trials and passing verdicts on hearsay is not how the due process works. The Panama case is a sad reminder of how sections of media have promoted this culture of pre-empting judicial proceedings.
PCB deserves commendation for suspending the tainted players and at the same time ensuring the smooth conduct of PSL. Although objections have been raised over the lack of coordination between the PCB and Federal Investigation Agency, the PCB is legally empowered to investigate the involved players in the first instance. A similar approach was taken during the 2010 scandal where ICC had conducted its investigation through its ASCU, in close cooperation with the Scotland Yard.
PCB needs to disseminate the ICC ACSU’s code of conduct at the domestic and club level cricket so that the players are adequately educated by the time they step into international cricket.
It took seven long years for the team to recover from arguably the lowest point in Pakistan’s cricketing history. The problem however has not disappeared and PCB needs to do more. PCB should toughen up on the issue and hold a fair inquiry under the ICC rules and regulations to protect the future of the game and to save the country from further embarrassment. *