KARACHI: Former Test fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz reckons the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should have taken a firm stance on not allowing paceman Mohammad Amir to return to competitive cricket.

“The PCB, rather than letting Amir come back, should have made him an example for others by keeping him away from the game; he committed a wrong act [spot-fixing], it was all proven, later he admitted it himself and so he doesn’t deserve to be back in the national squad,” Sarfraz, known for his candid comments, said in an interview to Dawn on Thursday.

“[Recently] Australia and New Zealand cricket authorities looking to eradicate corruption from their set-up have introduced long sentences for fixers. [New Zealand player] Lou Vincent’s life ban [imposed by the ECB] last year is also an example. Where are we heading to [by re-admitting corrupted players]?” he questioned.

Ex-pacer slams PCB stance over central contracts

“The maximum relief, if there was to be any, which could have been given to Amir by the PCB, will be to confine him to first-class cricket, that’s all. As regards international cricket, he must not be allowed to represent Pakistan.

“Because if he is taken in, the move will set a very wrong precedent in Pakistan cricket and others [who might be involved or are likely to get involved in any fraudulent practice] will be emboldened and there is a possibility that corruption will gain ground in our cricket system, particularly the national squad and its team management,” he cautioned.

Commenting on the general voice of support that banned Amir received in and outside Pakistan due to his tender age (18 in 2010) and relatively better-conduct record prior to that notorious 2010 spot-fixing disgrace, Sarfraz said: “Firstly, a crime is a crime in the eyes of law, and secondly I think if a medical test to examine his age is carried out, I have got a gut feeling it would come out to be at least two, three years more than what the current record shows.”

When his attention was drawn to the fact that some of the former Pakistan players were part of the current team management and so how keeping Amir out of international game will be justified, Sarfraz was categorical.

“I had already stated that none of them [having dubious past] should have been associated with the national team, and Amir’s case is no exception,” he emphasised.

Sarfraz, meanwhile, also criticised the PCB approach towards player central contracts announced recently.

“The three-month contracts should be replaced with one-year deals. How can there be three-month contracts for players representing Pakistan for the whole year? It shows serious mismanagement within the PCB.

“Connected with this mismanagement is the wasteful use of PCB money. In this regard, I would like to appeal to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan to look into the matter of PCB Governing Board members [reportedly] going to Australia and New Zealand for the World Cup. They are not entitled to this, as simple as that. I appeal to the PM and Board chief to cancel these joyrides and use that money [saved] for giving the players one-year contracts.”

Giving his views on the coming World Cup, Sarfraz picked Australia and New Zealand as top two contenders.

“To me Australia due to their robust, all-round game are top favourities; second are New Zealand who have improved significantly in recent times; not to forget both the teams will have the advantage of home conditions,” Sarfraz, who played the first three World Cups in 1975, 1979 and 1983, said.

Pakistan, 66-year-old Sarfraz believes, don’t have bright chances at the mega event.

“Our team have weaknesses in all departments; batting has been the biggest worry, our fielding has remained scratchy. As regards bowling the absence of frontliners Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez [latter in World Cup squad but banned from bowling due to illegal action] and Junaid Khan will be felt by our team.

“I think [on batting first] Pakistan will find it difficult to defend even a score of 300, mainly due to weakened bowling. Mohammad Irfan will have a major role if we are to make any significant progress.

“In order to overcome batting frailty on fast Australian pitches and swinging New Zealand tracks, we need regular openers. For this I strongly feel there should have been one more opener in the squad alongside Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad,” Sarfraz concluded.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play