http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Khan-c71319 wants swift decision
Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan says that quick decisions are needed in the match fixing scandal that erupted during the England v Pakistan Test match at Lords.
A number of Pakistan players are thought to be involved in a betting scandal that saw Pakistan bowlers bowling no-balls at regular points through the England first innings.
Khan says that investigations and enquiries must lead to a fast decision in order for cricket and Pakistan to move forwards. However, very little has been heard so far from the Pakistan team and it could be a while before all issues have been resolved.
Khan's argument is a good one because the longer everything takes, the longer bad feeling has to grow and stagnate. It's also very unfair on the fans of cricket and the team to have to endure the bad news.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/A-Swift-c41334 decision
A swift decision is necessary because it will allow all of the good and honest players in the Pakistan team to move on. There will be a number of players who have no idea what has been going on in relation to any match fixing.
These players are going to be associated with the scandal and with the team for all of the time that investigations take to conclude. It is not fair for these players who will all have international and domestic ambitions in the game.
Coaches and Pakistan officials will also want to move on. They will have ideas and plans on how to develop younger players and the team as a unit. They cannot do this if there are lingering questions over whether certain players should remain in the side.
Khan said: "If these allegations are true then there should be exemplary punishment. Why should the fans suffer? If the players are found guilty they should be shunted out of the team [and] replaced by others."
The fans
There is now a deep worry from pundits and officials in the game that a lot of genuine and honest Pakistan supporters are going to lose faith in the game and their team. They are asked to pay good money to come and watch cricket as a spectacle, which will prove pointless if the allegations are true.
The fans expect the players they support to be trying one hundred per cent all of the time. If the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 side gets banned through the actions of three or four players then the fans will be left without a team to support, which is highly unfair.
Former ICC chief Malcolm Speed added: "I think that suspension [of the team] is an option. It is serious. It looks as though it is endemic that several of the team members are involved and have been for some time. So perhaps they need a rest."
Betting advice
The best thing to do in relation to this matter is as Andrew Strauss suggested and back right off to let the dust settle. Investigations are going to take a little bit of time and you cannot back Pakistan as a team while there are serious questions over a number of players.
If there are any odds currently on the market for England to win the one-day international series then they will be very short. Wait until Pakistan have made a few tweaks to their team, which will inevitably happen, but still back England.
If Pakistan can show that they will play out the one-day series then it will be much easier to back England but there are still questions over whether Pakistan are going to call off the tour prematurely over what has happened.
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