‘Everyone was scared that their career will be over’ - Former Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad opens up on match-fixing scandals

Pakistan endured a five-wicket loss at the hands of England at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday, November 13 in the summit clash of the T20 World Cup 2022. Despite having relished a really good campaign after bouncing back from a few setbacks early on, members of the cricketing fraternity have raised questions about Pakistan's overall performance.

Former Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad has questioned the ‘uncertain’ future of the current lot of players  considering the involvement of the overseas management in the set-up. Miandad was also left frustrated by the anchor of Cricket Pakistan after the anchor mentioned that Vernon Philander was also a part of the support staff in the T20 World Cup last year.

“We have played County, but those who are playing right now, what's their future? Bring them to the studio, we will ask them questions. We also want to know what they know about cricket. Board tries to save itself with such hiring,” said Miandad on Cricket Pakistan.

Fixing happened because of this reason: Javed Miandad

Pakistan have seen dark days in their cricketing history, especially during the times when certain players were involved in ‘match-fixing’ scandals. Miandad further dropped a bombshell when he stated the reasons for such scandals within Pakistan Cricket.

“Look at our cricketers who have played cricket in the past. I'm not talking about myself; I've received a lot of offers in the past but I didn't go. What will happen to players who are there right now? They know they don't have anywhere to go if they don't perform. Fixing happened because of this very reason. Everyone was scared that their career will be over,” added Miandad.

Rumours of fixing swirled around the Pakistan national team back in the early 1990s during Imran Khan's era. A lot of cricketers were accused of the same and the team also copped a lot of criticism. Former Pakistan cricketer Saleem Malik's name was in the news during the 1990s as he had allegedly asked the likes of Shane Warne among others to underperform.