No player is bigger than the game

The fall of gifted players is a lesson for the next generation

KARACHI:

Whether it’s cricket or any other sport, sports bring players respect, wealth, and fame. But the moment you start neglecting the game itself and begin to consider yourself bigger than it, the same game can turn ruthless. Past achievements are quickly forgotten, and criticism replaces admiration. You may have seen the fate of many great superstars in football, tennis, and other sports who failed to value time,today, no one even asks about them.
On the other hand, there are players who always respected the game, and they continue to be admired. Pakistan also has such examples. However, those who toyed with the game now find themselves appearing as TV experts at a young age, venting frustration at current players or reminiscing about their past on social media. Speak too much, and they also even face legal trouble.
Despite their talent, such players couldn’t prolong their careers enough to be counted among the greats, while their teammates went on to achieve remarkable success. You may enjoy their fiery statements on TV, but one can’t help thinking,if only they were still making opponents suffer with their bat instead of their words.
What’s disappointing is that current players have not learned from such examples. I am not in favor of publishing details of anyone’s personal life, which is why I kept certain information private despite knowing it for quite some time. However, the questions that arise in your minds about a “young, talented cricketer” who hasn’t been performing for a long time are also known to the authorities.
The board invested heavily in him, so his poor performance raised concerns. Quiet investigations revealed a “colorful lifestyle.” His behavior in hotels resembled methods used in the 1990 players,there’s no need to go into details. The important thing is that he has been counseled and is now trying to improve. He has also made important decisions regarding his family life. But the core issue remains,he couldn’t handle fame and wealth, which led to his downfall. Now it remains to be seen whether he can reform and return to his previous level of performance.
There is another “star” whose questionable activities are widely discussed within cricket circles. Even his teammates openly share stories. You may have seen a young cricketer performing well in leagues,his aggressive style is ideal for T20 cricket, yet he remains out of the national team. When I asked a senior board official why, the answer was something that cannot be written here.
During an international tour, he did something serious enough that he could have ended up in jail. To avoid embarrassment for the country, the board took quiet action and kept him out of the national team.
Families of players also play a role. If marriages are arranged at the right time, perhaps such situations could be avoided,situations that later require immense effort from authorities to manage. The information shared here in subtle terms has been verified from multiple sources.
Nowadays, everyone has a mobile phone, and secretly recording videos is very easy. Suspicious individuals have previously trapped cricketers in honey traps and used them for match-fixing. One such player, after serving his ban, is now even playing in the PSL. In such circumstances, players must be extremely cautious,they never know who is approaching them and for what purpose.
To avoid blackmail in the future, they must be careful from the start. Team management also has a responsibility to keep a close watch. Any player involved in disciplinary violations should face strict action. Yes, there will be negative publicity, but at least the reason for disciplinary action should be disclosed. Otherwise, the media and fans may consider the player “innocent” and criticize selectors for leaving him out.
The cricket board has a strong social media team. They should create videos showing how talented players of the past were ruined due to wrong choices and show them to current players,perhaps they might learn something.
Cricketers today have no shortage of options. Even if you’ve played only a few international matches, you can earn money as a TV analyst after retirement. With good connections, coaching opportunities are also available at various levels. But if you focus on your game and keep performing, you can earn so much that you may not need to work after retirement.
You might wonder why this topic is being discussed during PSL days. The reason is that this is a very serious issue. Building a player’s career requires the effort and investment of many people. When you see someone with immense talent fail to grow, it is naturally disappointing.
The positive aspect is that board officials are aware of these matters and have started taking steps. Hopefully, things will improve. Pakistan cricket has already been involved in major scandals in the past, and we do not want to face such issues again.
Players who violate discipline should first be counseled. If they fail to learn, they should be permanently dropped. There is no shortage of talent in the country,someone else will replace them. But no one should ever be allowed to play with the honor of the nation.