Daily Times

There is never a dull moment in Pakistan cricket. Pakistan cricket just loves being in the limelight, whether they are Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials or our star cricketers. We just know the art how to remain in news of all the wrong reasons. The latest fixing saga in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the United Arab Emirates has stunned all and sundry. After what Pakistan cricket went through in 1990s, 2000s and 2010, the alleged involvement of a couple of players to taint the image of the country, once again, is just beyond one’s comprehension. This is really horrendous, extremely painful. It seems that our players have not learned the lesson, and they will always be vulnerable when there is big money involved; greed is instinctive. It is very unfortunate that another set of emerging and talented players have bitten the dust.

Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif were provisionally suspended from the PSL due to allegations of corruption. The Islamabad United pair were dumped out of the league on Friday last under the PCB’s anti-corruption code. Sharjeel, 27, was part of the Pakistan team which recently toured Australia and featured in a Test and all five ODIs. He has totalled 25 ODIs and 15 T20Is. Latif, 31, was part of Pakistan’s World T20 squad in India last year and has played five ODIs and 13 T20Is. Mohammad Irfan, Zulfiqar Babar and Shahzaib Hasan were also questioned by the PCB’s anti-corruption unit as part of the ongoing investigation into alleged attempts to corrupt the PSL. Fast bowler Irfan, 34, also plays for the defending champions Islamabad United in the PSL, while left-arm spinner Zulfiqar, 38, represents Quetta Gladiators and Shahzaib, 27, plays for Karachi Kings. The trio are all experienced domestic cricketers and have represented Pakistan. Irfan has played four Tests, 60 ODIs and 20 T20Is for his country, Zulfiqar 15 Tests, five ODIs and seven T20Is, while Shahzaib has played three ODIs and ten T20Is.

Despite earning a lot of money, our players’ ‘vulnerability’ has put a big question mark on Pakistan cricket and how it is being run. After earning back the respect, which we lost in England in 2010, through hectic efforts of the PCB and Misbahul Haq, the spectre of fixing has reared its ugly head again, this time in the cash-rich PSL. That the PSL was always susceptible to fixing goes without saying. Perhaps, for once, the sharp vigilance of the PCB’s anti-corruption unit paid off, though valid queries are even now being made about the opportunities for players to move out of their domain and interact with the bookmaking mafia.

Pakistan cricket has been rocked by fixing scandals over the past several years. Former captain Salim Malik and Ataur Rehman were banned for life after an investigation in 2000. Malik was punished for offering Australian trio Shane Warne, Tim May and Mark Waugh a bribe to underperform during their visit to Pakistan in 1995. In 2010 then Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were jailed and banned for five years for spot-fixing while leg-spinner Danish Kaneria was banned for life in a spot-fixing case in 2012.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan and PSL chairman Najam Sethi have rightly slammed those who are trying to get involved in corrupt practices. Both high officials are doing all they can to protect players and the PSL from the ‘crooks’ who are looking to taint the league. No doubt, the PSL belongs to the people of Pakistan. We have to protect it from corrupt practices that ruin the game. It is no secret that the PCB knew beforehand that some corrupt people would try to approach players. And the PCB informed each and every player about these things. Even after that some players thought they could get involved, they were greatly mistaken. They have received a loud and clear message: under no circumstances the PCB will condone actions of a few individuals to bring disrepute to the game of cricket.

Last year the PSL was a small league and not many bookies were interested in it. But this time around the PSL is bigger so bookies have started showing their interest. At the same the players involved should be given a fair chance to explain themselves. But if there is concrete evidence against them then it will be very disappointing that after getting so much respect and money, they still did something so disgraceful at the game’s expense. The PCB high officials should be commended for their prompt action to stem the rot and protect the integrity of the PSL. The PCB bosses have to announce stringent measures to weed out corrupt elements from domestic cricket – where it all usually begins – and put in place a well-oiled system to groom and educate players prior to their exposure to international cricket.