Daily Times

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), so marred by a universal lack of credibility, wants forgiveness for tainted fast bowler Mohammad Aamir. The PCB, led by Shaharyar Khan, has thrown its weight behind Aamir amid calls for the embattled pacer to be excluded from the national training camp setup for the World Twenty20 to be held in India next year. In a detailed press statement on Wednesday, the PCB called upon all cricketers and commentators, who are opposing Aamir’s return to the Pakistan side, to soften their stance as the disgraced bowler deserved a ‘second chance.’ “There are a few players and commentators who are opposed to his selection. We are reminding them that even Islam calls for forgiveness in such cases.” The PCB statement mentioned past examples of sportsmen who were punished, faced bans and then came back into their respective fields. “In the past, spot-fixers and drugs cheats have been permitted re-entry in to the international arena after serving their sentence. They include Marlon Samuels, Herschelle Gibbs (cricket), Tyson Gay (athletics).” The detail with which the PCB has pleaded Aamir’s case in the media release indicates desperation of the board towards the 23-year-old’s potential inclusion in Pakistan’s World T20 squad. Last week, Aamir was named in a 26-member squad for a conditioning camp in Lahore ahead of the New Zealand tour. While, visa permitting, he could also a find a spot in the final squad, the PCB said Aamir would continue undergoing rehabilitation for another six months. There has been opposition to Aamir’s re-integration into the national team from certain quarters, including former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja, and all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, who recently turned down a Bangladesh Premier League offer with Chittagong Vikings to avoid playing with Aamir. “From the first day, Aamir has admitted his guilt and has sought forgiveness from his country, his fans and from Pakistanis. He has cooperated with ICC Anti-Corruption Unit and with British Police investigators,” the PCB said.

Aamir was marked as a great prospect for Pakistan in his early days and at the age of 18 he became the youngest bowler to capture 50 Test wickets during that controversial Lord’s Test in 2010. The left-armer has taken 22 wickets in the 2015 domestic Grade II tournament before capturing an impressive 34 in the four qualifying matches of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. He then grabbed 17 wickets in Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Aamir also went through psychology sessions and gave lectures to his juniors against corruption. Aamir has been picked up by Pakistan Super League side Karachi Kings for the upcoming T20 league event in UAE.

According to the PCB, Aamir was not ‘wise’ enough to realise his mistake when he committed the offence. “Aamir was 19 years old when he was indicted. He came from a rural underprivileged background. Both the ICC and the British justice system were lenient towards Aamir because of his remorse and cooperative conduct. As a result his jail sentence was reduced by six months.” The statement said PCB chairman Shaharyar recently called in Aamir and told him that he needed to show modesty and discipline in his conduct as he would constantly be seen under a microscope.

The PCB’s unstinted support for Aamir, while ignoring the others in the same incident, smacks of injustice, double standard, favouritism and hypocrisy. For the sake of fair-play and consistency, the Czars of Pakistan cricket should also lobby for Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif with the same passion as they are doing it for Aamir. But they are not, for reasons best known to them. No doubt, rehabilitation of offenders is an important principle that has benefits for individuals and society. The trio, who committed the offence during their sporting careers, have a right to be rehabilitated after they have served out their punishments. Also, what about the case of Danish Kaneria? The leg spinner ran from pillar to post to get support from the PCB but in vain. Fighting a legal case with a top quality lawyer is an expensive affair in Britain, beyond the scope of individuals (unless one is Imran Khan).

Unfortunately, the PCB appears to have little interest in the outcome of its own inquiries and recommendations. With such pathetic standards of expediency, how is it possible for others to listen to the views or respect the governing body of our cricket? Matters of principle are not their forte. Around the globe the saner elements may probably wonder why the PCB is so marred by hypocrisy and discrimination. And one fears that it is on the basis of these dubious ‘qualities’ that the PCB will be judged in the foreseeable future as nothing seems to change for the better with each change at the helm. We should truly care for our star players, when they have been duly punished for their mistakes and have expressed their remorse. But we are the most unforgiving society. Picking out a favourite for reprieve and treating the others as criminals for life is unfair and unjustified. They all deserve a second chance in their careers. But, actions speak louder than words and it appears that the PCB has failed the test of credibility by its ‘horses for courses’ type of justice in the case of Salman, Asif and Kaneria.