Ramiz Raja distraught with the spot-fixing controversy in the ongoing PSL

Pakistan Cricket has been jolted for yet another time with a handful of players involved or questioned for corrupt activities in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Pakistan internationals Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif was sent back home for their alleged involvement in spot-fixing and according to reports, PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan has stated that they have strong evidence against the southpaw.

Just after a day, Mohammad Irfan, Zulfiqar Babar and Shahzaib Hasan were also interrogated due to fixing related issues and despite PCB clearing them to play the tournament, they will continue to be investigated. The initial reports suggested that the players were caught in a raid and international syndicates are behind influencing the game. It has clearly shaken Pakistan cricket yet again and administrator Ramiz Raja said he was disgusted and shattered with the whole incident.

“We took a pledge at the wonderful opening ceremony (on Thursday). We also stood up for the national anthem. And the very next day this happened. This is horrendous, extremely painful,” Ramiz was quoted as saying by Mumbai Mirror from Dubai, where the tournament is currently going on. “We did not want it. Pakistan has gone through hell regarding such situations. One more (scandal) to deal with I guess. No lessons were learnt from the (Mohammad) Aamir saga,” he added.

Ramiz Raja had stoutly opposed the return of Mohammad Amir to the national team after the left-arm seamer served a five years ban. He was involved in the spot-fixing scandal in 2010 along with the then Pakistan captain Salman Butt and right-arm pacer Mohammad Asif. He restated his words despite Amir’s terrific return.

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“I wanted to make them (Amir & Co) examples and not take them back into the system. It is a straightforward call for me. I was not in charge of the game. I just gave my opinion. See it has come back to bite us, unfortunately. If I was the CEO, I would not have allowed him back. There is no way such individuals should be allowed into the game. The game of cricket has to move and we can always have someone to replace him. No one is indispensable. We got it absolutely wrong,” Ramiz lamented.

Ramiz also emphasised on the fact that fixing is not an issue only in Pakistan and lessons must be learnt from England Australia. “This is not a Pakistan-centric issue. We have to join forces to end this menace. We can create an awareness movement and a healthy environment. Maybe we need to study the Big Bash League and even English Country cricket which are more or less corruption free. The Asian region is pretty much affected by this menace.”

“We need to introspect as a society. When Amir was caught accepting an offer of 5000-10000 pounds (in England in 2010), he was to sign up with a county for 130,000 pounds the next day. Sharjeel Khan has signed up with Leicester for 70,000 pounds. From that point to fall to such a low, it is crazy. Maybe it is because of the upbringing and education,” he added.

Ramiz was, however, reluctant to accept the fact that popularity of PSL will come down after the alleged spot-fixing controversy.  “I don’t think it is a setback. We have got the England captain Eoin Morgan here. We have got Brendon McCullum. The talent is pool is very good. There is a lot of interest for the PSL. Now the final will be in Lahore, every foreign player is ready to cooperate to make it happen. The integrity of the PSL was at stake and the PCB took a prompt decision, which is the right and transparent. They have learnt lessons from the past and know the value of a quick decision.”

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Ramiz added that despite measures being taken to ensure that corruption doesn’t affect the game it is not possible to 100% rule out that possibility. “While the effort is being made to ensure such things don’t happen, it is impossible to root out corruption 100 per cent. All you can do is give them a healthy environment and explain them (the players) the pros and cons of this kind of activity. Hopefully, this will be a lesson for other guys. Hopefully, we will also learn as an organisation and as a PSL product.

Ramiz concluded by saying that he will never want the tainted duo of Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif to make a return to the national team. “Of course not, I say that,” he concluded.