‘Players digging their own grave with fixing’
abu dhabi — Players at international level know the pros and cons of getting involved in corrupt activities like match and spot fixing, and are digging their own graves by still doing such practices, Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed said on the eve of T20 match against Australia in Abu Dhabi.
Fixing allegations have popped its ugly head again with a documentary released earlier this week on a series involving Pakistan and England.
Also, in similar vein, Pakistan’s independent adjudicator has upheld a 10-year ban on former opener Nasir Jamshed over his role in various fixing scandals that rocked the Pakistan Super League.
Sarfraz said during the press conference that players were professional and have been thoroughly briefed about the consequences of getting their hands dirty. The skipper said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is continuously doing its part to create awareness among players.
“PCB does it job efficiently and take all necessary steps. We get lectures on anti-corruption. I am in the fray since 2006. I got such lectures in U19, academy, Pakistan A and then the national side. Players also need to take into account what is right and wrong. The boys are aware about rights and wrongs. Despite knowing the consequences if players are still doing it (match and spot-fixing), they are digging their own graves. It is the responsibility of a player that if there is any such approach made then he should inform the PCB.”
On many established players being seen in the documentary with a match fixer, the Pakistan skipper said: “You can’t judge any person who is coming over to have a snap with you. If you don’t meet or oblige to a request then they would say fame has gone into his head. So if the person we take snap with turns out to be a miscreant then it is not the fault of that player.”
It is the responsibility of a player that if there is any such approach made then he should inform the PCB
Sarfraz Ahmed, Pakistan skipper