Pakistan cricket divided over the return of the blemished trio in the side

Pakistan cricket divided over the return of the blemished trio in the side: Recently the International Cricket Council (ICC) had announced that the Pakistani trio of Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif can return to competitive cricket as soon as their ban expires. Their ban will expire at midnight on 1 September 2015. But they have to fulfill the specific conditions laid down by the independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal and then only they can return to play domestic as well international cricket.

But there have been divided views among former Pakistani players on whether the trio should play for Pakistan again or not. While some consider that they should be allowed to play, some other cricketers believe that the tainted trio should not get a reckoning in the Pakistan national team again.

The former Pakistani international player and commentator Rameez Raja was against comeback of Pakistani trio in the side. While the former Pakistani skipper Mohammad Yousuf who scored 17,300 runs in international cricket said that, “The way I look at it if they play domestic cricket and perform well they will be considered for national selection. I don’t think either Misbah-ul-Haq or Azhar Ali will have any problems playing with them,” he said. I also look at this way they did something wrong and bad and they were punished for it. Other players have been allowed back after being guilty of corruption and serving bans so why not these three.”

The former Pakistani player Rashid Latif had played a key role in the clean-up of Pakistani cricket by reporting about match-fixing instances in the era of 1990s. The views he holds about this issue are contrary to that of Mohammad Yousuf. The 46-year-old said, “I will not support their comeback to international cricket simply because they will replace someone who might not be as talented as them but has done nothing ethnically or morally wrong and had not indulged in corruption.”

Rashid Latif further added, “This is the biggest injustice you can do to players who play clean cricket. The way I look at this situation it is very wrong for that person to play again for Pakistan who has been involved in corruption and cheating. It is not right for those players who have played by the rules.”

The former Pakistani cricketer and chief selector Mohsin Khan supported the views of Latif and said that, “These players might have served their punishment but to me it is a huge crime selling or fixing a game involving your country and once you do that you don’t deserve a second chance. I belong to the old school of thought and to me it seems very difficult to accommodate or integrate these players back into the national side.”

The former Pakistan Test opener Bazid Khan said, “They have served their bans but the PCB I think needs to make them and others realise the consequences of their crime. It has to set an example for others. Maybe allow them play domestic cricket but not international cricket.”

Basit Ali another former player was in favor of drafting back the trio in the national side if they can prove their mettle in domestic arena. He said, “What has happened has happened and they have accepted their guilt as well and apologized to the nation. Everyone makes mistakes. So why shouldn’t they be given a chance to play for Pakistan again depending on their performances.”

Salman Butt who was one of the guilty players in the 2010 spot-fixing case apologized for his mistake once again and said that, “I regret and apologize for what had happened but I have learnt my lesson and I want a chance to be a better person now. I have kept myself fit and strong by playing local cricket matches and training at nets every day. I am prepared for this big moment.”

While Mohammad Asif was quoted by a local Pakistani channel saying, “If I perform and do well I deserve to be considered for selection. It is always a fact that best players are given a chance to play and represent their country.”

Mohammad Amir has been playing in domestic cricket while Salman Butt is expected to feature in the national T20 championship which will be held in Rawalpindi from September 1 to 15.