Pakistan’s Match-fixing Saga – NOT SURPRISED!
All h**l has broken lose in Pakistan cricket. Ban them for live, take away their property, send them to jail, almost all sorts of reactions have made it to the headlines. News channels in Pakistan and around the world are going crazy. Following the News of the World allegations that not less than 7 Pakistani cricketers were involved in ‘fancy’ or ‘spot’-fixing, reactions from Pakistan have been swift and harsh. President Asif Ali Zardari, Chairman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ijaz-Butt-c64128, Sports Minister Ijaz Jakhrani, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, former cricketers, commentators and almost everybody has reacted strongly. Hmm...but why the surprise?
One would question if this was the first time that Pakistan cricket has found itself in thick s**t. Only a few months ago, Pakistan was drubbed in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 and a violent Indian media wishing for their break-up – almost everything from double-headed cows to French-speaking frogs have been witnessed by Pakistani cricket fans. To do a summary – we are not surprised by the latest match-fixing allegations, NOT at All!
No matter how good the management is, no matter how good the coaches are or even thick loads of monetary allowances are given to Pakistani players - which they do get – Pakistan cricket is destined to be a corrupt, rudderless boat. The reason is the inherent culture that is prevalent in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755.
So let me paint you a picture. A country which breeds on corruption, nepotism, politics and chaos, one would expect the exact same from its cricket team. Mohammad Asif hails from the city of Sheikhupura while Mohammad Amir comes from the city of Gujjar Khan – cities where cultural traditions overpower sane decision making, where family feuds are greater than constitutional limitations and where almost everything is possible. Suddenly, a good cricketer emerges in the ranks, is spotted by either http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Punjab-c833. Both cities fall in the most powerful province of the country where being a Punjabi is a greater satisfaction than any other sub-class in the country.
With no exposure, these cricketers are directly sent to countries such as Australia and England. It’s the biggest collision of East meeting the West at break-neck speeds and crossing the sound barrier – such is the impact of this move. Women, food and transportation are the obvious attractions for players such as Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif – things which are plenty in abundance in the country of their origin but aloof due to social and religious barriers. But hey, they are in England where everything is possible, where booze is legal, where s*x is normal and betting is legal too. So there you have it.
These players go for shopping. They buy a cell phone which says, ‘connecting people.’ Then they buy clothes which say, ‘just do it’. After connecting the dots, these poor souls end up in a mess.
However, a part from all the un-surprises, Mohammad Amir’s inclusion in the long-list of Pakistani buffoons since the advent of match-fixing in 1972, is a bitter pill to swallow. At just 18 years of age and a wonderful career in the making, Amir has outperformed even Wasim and Waqar. He’s broken records at a speed of 200 miles per hour, but unfortunately failed to re-fill the gas tank. His car has finally come to a standstill in the middle of the woods.
It will take some time before Pakistan cricket peeps its head out of this one. However, every Pakistani is sure that we’ll live another day to surprise you all once again – just wait for the next one!
(the writer's opinions in this article are independent in nature)
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