Miandad belives bringing back the trio will be injustice to the youngsters. PHOTO: FILE/AFP
ISLAMABAD: Former captain Javed Miandad on Thursday asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to exercise zero tolerance for the trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir as allowing them to become part of Pakistan team may bring a bad name for the country.
"They have been involved in a major offence. Allowing them to return to cricket at any level will be a very wrong thing," he told APP.
Miandad, who also served as Director General PCB during 2009-2014 said that fixing a match was a criminal offence in sports loving countries and they never take those players again in their teams who are found involved in corruption and dishonesty.
"Several renowned international footballers and other sportspersons vanished from the scene in the past just because they cheated their nations. Their medals and awards were taken back. Today nobody knows them," he said.
Read: Muhammad Asif ready to face fans' abuse on return
He said respect for the country should come first and as the acts of these players damaged country's repute at the international level they should never be taken back.
"Although they have served their punishment, but as they have been involved in fixing the game by taking money and bringing a bad name for the country they don't deserve a second chance now," he added.
He said had he been in PCB, he would have made it clear to these players that it was not possible to integrate them again.
"I'm not against any player or anybody but taking them back will convey a very wrong message to young players as well as to other nations," he said.
He said our religion lays great emphasis on honesty adding that being Muslims these players should have been a role model for others but unfortunately they put aside glorious principles of Islam.
"This is really sad. They did not care that our religion abhors such shameful acts. They also did not care that millions of people watch them on TV screens with love and pray for their success.
Read: Salman Butt thankful for second lifeline
"But they took money to embrace defeat. How can you allow such players to represent the country once again?" he asked.
He said taking these players again in the team would also be injustice with other young players.
"Their return will mean replacing them with someone else who has done nothing wrong. The PCB should make them and others realise the consequences of such crimes. I think they should be made an example for others," he added.
He said that there was no dearth of talent in the country and it could produce several stars once again but a proper focus was needed.
"We were a formidable side in the past. We can once again earn a spot in world's top sides if we improve our domestic structure and concentrate on our youngsters."
COMMENTS (5)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ