A disgrace for all of us (IV)

KARACHI: The Pakistan cricket team has probably been a part of the most match fixing allegations in the history of international cricket, a record that would make myself along with every patriotic Pakistan bow their heads in shame. Every time an allegation has come around I have wondered why is it that we are once again in the centre of such a disgraceful accusation?

Could it be that they lack the moral authority that we automatically associate with them, since they are after all our national heroes? Might it be that they are or have become so numb in the senses so as to not be able to understand the disgrace and heartache that they bring to each and every patriotic Pakistani every time an accusation like this is pointed towards us?

Cricket is a tough sport, like most others, and it requires immense extension of physical and mental capacity from a sportsman to reach a level of skill and excellence where he can represent his nation at an international level.

The question here is that why would our cricketing heroes – having worked so hard to achieve this feat – want to risk their entire careers by indulging in match-fixing. They earn a decent amount of money playing for Pakistan, they earn respect and honour from their countrymen, they get to travel all over the world – so why do this?

Ali Allawala

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31^st, 2010.