For Mohammad Hafeez fixing isn't a mistake but a crime

The dark clouds of another fixing scandal are hovering over Pakistan cricket once again. While the world was coming to terms with their players making a comeback after being banned from cricket for 5 years a fresh lot of them have been charged on similar charges. After the very first match of the Pakistan Super League, two players were suspended and the ongoing investigation has seen others being caught in the fire as well. Amidst all that Pakistan allrounder Mohammad Hafeez is of the opinion that fixing is a crime.

He expressed that it is the responsibility of all the players who represent the nation take care of the image of the entire country. “Whoever plays for Pakistan is responsible to uphold the respect that he gets, on an individual level. And if someone tells me that it was a mistake, I don’t consider it that, I will say he is lying, I think it’s a crime,” Hafeez was quoted as saying by Express Tribune.

The 36-year-old had a stiff stand even when the banned trio of Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif were in line for a comeback to cricket after serving their ban. “It is a principled stance. It didn’t change for any individual and neither will it. Everyone can have their opinion but mine is quite strong on spot-fixing,” Hafeez said.

“It is high time that stern decision is made about players who have been proven guilty to set an example for others. An example of sorts should be made so that everyone should fear doing anything like this ever again,” he added.

He didn’t want to jump the gun since the matter is under investigation at the stage but was definitely hurt by the whole development. “I can’t talk about it since anything hasn’t been proven yet, but the occurrence of such a case within the confines of Pakistan cricket is painful. It’s a painful reality that we are facing now,” said Hafeez.

The veteran who has represented Pakistan in 182 ODIs, 50 Tests and 77 T20Is is of a clear opinion that those proven guilty should not be given a second chance to revive themselves. “The stance is that whoever hurts the reputation of Pakistan and is proven guilty, he shouldn’t get that respect back. It is that simple. The reason is that after the 2010 incident, we put a lot of curfews on ourselves to stay away from it [corruption],” he added.

At the same time, he is preparing himself for the upcoming Caribbean challenge and wants to do his best in West Indies. “I hope to live up to the expectations of the selectors and will try my best to help the team [in West Indies],” the former Pakistan skipper said.