Call to eradicate fixing menace

Dubai : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should have stemmed the increasing influence of match fixers long ago," former Pakistan Test star Mudassar Nazar, who coached Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif at the Lahore National Cricket Academy, told Gulf News.

"From the early Nineties this trend had commenced and the PCB is aware of the happenings going around, but they failed to react. These three boys are the victims of inaction as many may have gone unpunished," added Nazar, who is currently the Head Coach of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Global Academy coach.

"The Pakistan Cricket Board should have been the first to take action against them instead of allowing the International Cricket Council to intervene and do the job. It is indeed a sad incident, but I am glad that some strong decisions have been taken by the ICC after thorough investigations," said Nazar, who was also the Pakistan national team coach.

"For long, many journalists had been writing about this trend and even naming a few players. Investigations should have been conducted on whether there is truth behind these reports rather than close their eyes on it. The board should make sure that such an incident should never happen again," he said.

Nazar feels that no pity should be shown to cricketers who corrupt the game. "I was surprised to see a few statements from past cricketers supporting the players. I feel that no sympathy should be shown to players who decide to sell their country. Such cricketers can resort to anything and stern action against them is a must," said Nazar.

Age on his side

Talking about the verdict Nazar said: "This verdict should be seen as a message to all cricket boards around the world to be vigilant and rescue their young cricketers from falling into the trap of wrong people."

When asked whether Mohammmad Amir may return to international cricket after the ban, Nazar said: "Age is on his side. If he can maintain discipline and remain positive he can probably return to cricket."

Mazhar Khan, the Administrator of the Emirates Cricket Board, said: "This is a sad incident in the history of the game. We need to make sure that such incidents do not happen in future. More education of the harmful effects of such corrupt acts should be taught at the grass roots level. Everyone should join hands to put an end to such acts."

Presley Polonnowita, a former Sri Lankan cricketer turned coach of the Desert Cubs Cricket Academy in the UAE, said: "When everyone had thought that match fixing has ended in the Nineties another incident has emerged in the form of spot fixing.

In a dilemma

"This vampire that has gripped the game should be eradicated forever; if not, the people's confidence in the game will vanish. Everyone will be confused whether they are watching a real contest or a fixed match when close battles are fought. Such doubts can cause permanent damage to the game."

Welcoming the decision of the ICC, Polonnowita said: "If such stern actions are not taken to root out this evil then parents will fear sending their children for coaching as they will be in danger of being lured by corrupt people. Coaches should also teach youngsters to play the game in the right spirit from the grass roots level."

Meanwhile in Perth, England's Andrew Strauss said: "I think the important thing with any punishment is that it sends a very strong message to people that might be tempted to do it in the future that if you do it, your career is going to be substantially reduced, if not destroyed."

Strauss wants the message of this decision to reach every corner of the world. "This [verdict] sends a pretty strong signal out there. There is always potential for there to be a stronger signal and handing out life bans. But we are not party to all the evidence."