NZC questions Pakistani cricket team’s credentials’
After the match-fixing scandal pulled off by Pakistani cricketers namely, test skipper Salman Butt, and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, many international players and their respective boards have questioned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistani cricket team itself, as to what it has to offer in the international arena and cricketing markets. The chief executive of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 later this year, referring to it as, “residual impact” to the spot-fixing controversies.
Three key players of Pakistani test team, including skipper Butt were suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) two weeks ago, as the three were alleged for match-fixing activities in their ongoing tour of England. A bookie by the name of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Scotland-c756 Yard on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers. Majeed was also caught on camera by The News of the World claiming to have bribed Pakistani bowlers to bowl no-balls at previously agreed moments during the test. A total of 7 Pakistani players are said to be involved, among which four names have come forward, besides the three suspended Pakistani players by ICC, young test fast bowler Wahab Riaz will be investigated by the 14th of September, 2010.
NZC has raised frequent concern regarding the financial turn-over of their upcoming series of Pakistani cricket team. Vaughan believes, “I can understand the public may not be quite as excited about Pakistan as they otherwise might have been”, also adding, “We're kidding ourselves to think that there won't be some residual impact out of all this, which is sad.”
NZC chief executive hoping for justice also fears that the six week tour of Pakistan which comprises of three Twenty20 internationals (T20), two tests and six One-day Internationals (ODI), was apparently NZC’s preparation for the upcoming and well awaited World Cup2011. Vaughan believes that low tolerance, and lengthy bans should be imposed if not life bans on the alleged fixers.
On the other hand, Aussie veteran skipper and batsman Ricky Ponting has shown concerns saying that only the players involved should be punished rather than the entire Pakistani cricket team. Meanwhile, the black cap skipper Daniel Vettori believes that life bans should be given to those found guilty.
Vettori believes, “Whenever incidents like (these) recently have come under the spotlight then people are going to question every single game that Pakistan played in," he said. "The key for cricket is to clean it up as quickly as possible, so that people don't turn up at the game and think there's something going on. Cricket needs to be squeaky clean.”
Pakistani ODI and T20 skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 told the press after the 2nd ODI against England at Headingley that attracting a crowd was not a problem as many Pakistani supporters were present at the venue. Afridi also felt that as long as the players are enjoying their cricket and playing the game in good faith, results were not important and the Pakistani cricket team’s spirits are high and well inclined towards the cricketing challenges, the ongoing tour of England has to offer.
The series between Pakistani cricket team and the Black Caps is still scheduled to commence on Boxing Day in New Zealand. One can only hope that the gentleman game’ is continued to be played in good spirit. And the concerns of NZC official are over-shadowed by a good healthy cricketing tournament between the two. Like Aussie skipper Ponting believes that one cannot exclude and punish the entire Pakistani cricket team as it is a bit unfair and above all, the world of cricket does not need, and cannot afford it. Thus, one should be optimistic like Ponting and Afridi and believe that the game would commence in a healthy environment.
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