Match-fixers should be banned for life, says Zaheer
dubai — Match-fixing has a been a bane of any sport for far too long now. Just like an organised crime, it not only constitutes a threat to society, but the nature of its unpredictability has tarnished the essential value of sport to a great extent.
Among other, the game of cricket has taken a major blow despite stringent measures by respective national cricket boards and the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Former Pakistani great Zaheer Abbas while discussing the issue in a recent TV programme spoke his heart out and called for life bans to rid the menace of matchfixing.
“If anybody is caught and it is proven he has fixed a match then he should be banned for life.
These players should have been banned for life and then nobody would have dared to do it again. We need to take stand if we want to save the game. We have to deal it with an iron fist or this practice will continue Zaheer Abbas
Former Pakistan captain
Match-fixing creates problem and gives a bad name to the country.
“Ban of some years is not going to deter these miscreants who have no proper family background. They serve the ban and again they are ready to play the game. Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt and Sharjeel Khan are back on the ground.
“Umar Akmal has got a threeyear ban and these years will pass like anything. He will be back and free to do what he wants,” Zaheer Abbaad lamented.
Zaheer, known as the Asian Bradman, added: “These players should have been banned for life and then nobody would have dared to do it again. We need to take stand if we want to save the game. We have to deal it with an iron fist or this practice will continue.”
Answering a question about Ataur Rehman, Zaheer said: “It happened long back and we are still discussing it. Those players will carry the burden for whole their life.
“The board should have banned them for life and Amir, Sharjeel and Butt wouldn’t have dared to commit this crime.”
It is well known that Zaheer and former captain Imran Khan (now prime minister of Pakistan) did not enjoy good relationship during their playing careers. Zaheer quit Test cricket but wanted to play one-day internationals. Imran, known as a ruthless captain, dropped Zaheer from the squad which forced the batsman to announce his retirement.
While talking about Ramadan, Zaheer said: “It is a practice as usual for Muslims around the world as we keep fast and pray as much as possible.
“I pray to God to help the humanity fight this coronavirus which has gripped the whole world and suspended all the sports activities including the Tokyo Olympics.”