Miandad demands capital punishment for match-fixers

NEW DELHI: Saying only strong measures can deter players from indulging in match-fixing, former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad has suggested death penalty as a punishment for the same. With Pakistan cricket being rocked by a major spot-fixing scandal during the second season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Miandad said that those found guilty should be made an example out of, in order to deter other players. “Authorities must take measures to stop this,” he was quoted as saying by

The Express Tribune.

“Why don’t you take strong measures? You should give death penalty to such people. We must not tolerate such things, not at all,” Miandad added.

As least five players, Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Mohammad Irfan, Nasir Jamshed and Shahzaib Hasan, have been named in an investigation into the scandal and currently remain suspended from playing competitive cricket.

Shahid Afridi, who recently retired from international cricket, also called for strong action against guilty players.

“Until an example is set, this issue will continue,” Afridi said.

“When a player knows he will be forgiven and brought back into the national fold after four or five years, there isn’t any fear or deterrence,” he added.

QADIR SPEAKS UP

Legendary Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir has said that the spot-fixing scandal that has rocked Pakistan cricket wouldn’t have taken place had former players suspected of being involved in match-fixing been hanged. Qadir, who was speaking in a TV show, said Wasim Akram, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mushtaq Ahmed were the ‘bigger’ culprits . “Had you hanged Wasim Akram, Inzamam, Mushtaq Ahmed - there’s an entire list instead of giving them a slap on the wrist, what’s happening now would’ve never happened,” a report in The Express Tribune quoted him as saying.