Former PCB chief demands life ban for Salman Butt
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Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) former chairman Ijaz Butt finally broke his silence on the spot-fixing affair and demanded that a life ban be imposed on former captain Salman Butt, BBC Urdu reported.
Ijaz, who was heading the PCB at the time of the spot-fixing scandal in 2010, said in an interview to BBC: “Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt have served their sentences in England, but Pakistan should also impose some punishment on them and the board mustn't allow the former captain to represent the country again.”
He, however, added that the fast bowling duo of Asif and Amir should be kept under strict watch for a time period of at least six months.
The 77-year-old said he would have banned Butt, who according to him was the 'central figure' in the scandal, for life.
“Butt was the central figure and he also pressurised Amir to get involved in spot-fixing,” Ijaz added.
The former PCB chief also revealed that he tried convincing Amir to keep him in the loop with developments when the spot-fixing scandal surfaced but the fast bowler did not oblige.
Ijaz also revealed how Mazhar Majeed, the trio's agent also disgraced in the episode, was introduced to the players.
“Mazhar Majeed, who used to work as an agent, has been in contact with Pakistan cricketers for a long time,” said Ijaz.
“Every player we inquired, told that they were introduced to him by some former cricketers.”
The former PCB chief said he had accepted his responsibility while being at the helm of affairs and added that he was ready to cooperate with the board's current administration in this regard.
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Comments (52) Closed
Sep 01, 2015 08:50pm
Please don't let them to enter again in Pakistan team and make them example for the rest of youngsters, otherwise people do encouraged, in future.
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Sep 01, 2015 08:52pm
These players are outstanding, they already completed harsh punishment. You cannot deprive their livelihood if they compete and come forward and make place in team.
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Sep 01, 2015 08:57pm
Yes, at last someone is saying what everyone wants, also, include asif as he was a senior player and should have known better. Leave Amir alone.
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Sep 01, 2015 09:07pm
There should be complete ban on all cheaters. They brought bad name for the country. They are not important to us. Country is important for us.
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Sep 01, 2015 09:08pm
They defamed Pakistan in worst way. They should be banned for life.
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Sep 01, 2015 09:13pm
They should be part of playing eleven, they are national assets. They should be treated equally. Mazhar majeed if was introduced by former senior cricketers, they should also be punished. they have completed they punishment now it is their right to play.
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Sep 01, 2015 09:26pm
Imposing life sentences on these players would constitute arbitrary justice and about revenge. Justice must never be about revenge. There is no rule in PCB that says players caught cheating will be banned for life. Pakistan, as a 3rd world country, is corrupt to the core, where corruption is the way of life. These players have served their time. They are a product of this culture. Let them earn their living now.
However, I am not against, PCB issuing a clear ruling on the issue of cheating and doping that anyone from this point on found guilty will be banned for life. So long as players are made aware of this on a regular basis, I would be all for life time on anyone found guilty.
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Sep 01, 2015 09:30pm
@rauf there is no "right" to play. they are convicted criminals and need to be banned for life. Otherwise more will follow in their footsteps and just not try to get caught.
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Sep 01, 2015 09:33pm
To all those who are in support of banned players and want their return to the team; how 'd you feel for a soldier who turn against its country and start shooting its own countrymen on the battlefield? Would you still ask for impunity even if that soldier complete HARSH punishment.
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Sep 01, 2015 09:41pm
PCB should ban him for life, since he has done once he will do it again. He has ruined the career of
Mohammad Amir.
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Sep 01, 2015 09:43pm
This guy is an utter disgrace. No forgiveness for him and shouldn't be allowed anywhere near cricket whatsoever. For the sake of future generation of Pakistani cricketers - making an example of such cheats and fixers!
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Sep 01, 2015 09:49pm
Start punishing those(players, politicians, public, etc.) who do wrong and plunder and hurt Pakistan's interest for personal gain.
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Sep 01, 2015 09:50pm
I agree for life ban.
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Sep 01, 2015 09:52pm
@M. Johri ---canada
He has ruined the career of aamir and asif both. His own career was below average though.
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Sep 01, 2015 10:02pm
@Abdul Jabbar there are many good players who should get a chance to play for Pakistan these greedy and corrupt players should never be part of the team again and should be banned for life
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Sep 01, 2015 10:04pm
@Majid
These are not soldiers and killed no one so your argument is not even close.
How would you feel if you got ticket for speeding and paid the fine but then was told by your parents you can never drive again because you have tainted the image of the family.
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Sep 01, 2015 10:13pm
They have completed punishment, why you people want more
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Sep 01, 2015 10:22pm
I don't foresees these 3 being selected in near future. Amir may get selected later if team suffers in fast bowling department.
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Sep 01, 2015 10:25pm
When you are put in a position of trust and you blacken your face, it is the betrayal that counts, not that you have spent your sentence.
You may be let out of prison after serving your time but you will have lost all the chance of being given that TRUST again.
Also, this will deny the youngsters the chance to shine in place of an untrustworthy captain!! who betrays and rots the other apples in the basket.
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Sep 01, 2015 10:27pm
MR RAUF They should be part of playing eleven, they are national assets. what a stupid thing to say they brought shame to our country and you say they are national assets ban these cheats for life
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Sep 01, 2015 10:31pm
They defamed their NATION - this is treason!!!
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Sep 01, 2015 10:36pm
Ijaz sb is right I can imagine how much stress he had to take that time when we were being humiliated.same time we have our prophet thought us to forgive. presently team is doing good so I think no need to bring these guys in the team
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Sep 01, 2015 10:52pm
Enough is enough, live and let live. Cheaters will always be there, no matter what. They have served their sentences in full and should get a fair chance to play and compete. If you still feel angry with something within yourself, go for a long walk or jump in the lake!
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Sep 01, 2015 11:36pm
We must give them atleast one chance in which they have to prove that that are good persons now.PCB must keep an eye on all these players . These players must have to set example for new players like Samuels did for West Indies.
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Sep 01, 2015 11:46pm
I think he did his time and should be allowed to play. Pakistan should give better financial packages to its player. One ex international player arshad khan is driving uber taxi in australia !!!
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Sep 02, 2015 12:07am
@Majid -- come On man. There is a huge difference in spot fixing and killing a human. Thats why there are different punishements for different crime.
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Sep 02, 2015 12:12am
@RAUF yes Mr Rauf you're correct they are national asset infact all cheaters and corrupt people who sell their country and bring disgrace are national assets.
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Sep 02, 2015 12:46am
Forget about Salman, Asif, and Amir as they must be kept out and new upcoming players must be included in the team. It's an old story now and they should retire and say bye bye to cricket.
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Sep 02, 2015 12:50am
I agree that they have served their time and should be eligible to play. I have no problem with Amir who openly admitted his mistake and regretted doing this. Unfortunately same can not be said about other two senior players. They continued to tell lies and protested their innocence and never admitted doing anything wrong. They should apologised to the nation and beg forgiveness. They should be asked to do charity work and should attend counselling. They both should not be allowed to represent their country ever again but should be allowed to play first class cricket to earn their living.
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Sep 02, 2015 12:51am
its amazing, everyone is being righteous for these three cricketer. they serve the term and as you know, everyone in Pakistan, India or Bangladesh takes bribes, cheat and its part of the culture. If you pay them decent money they and then they cheat I can understand. tell me if you can find anyone honest and ethical in those country. Just because they got caught you are judging them. everyone deserve a second chance. Chances are people who are requesting to do a life ban need to look at themselves and do an honest assessment how many time they have cheated and got away. enough is enough let them play and if you don't like it then choose another sports to criticize.
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Sep 02, 2015 01:17am
@Abdul Jabbar
There should not be any acceptance of the argument that they have served their time. They have not .
There should be no acceptance of these players in cricket,if you want clean game worth the name, cricket.
Never ever allow those who have committed an unbelievable crime against the good name of the country.
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Sep 02, 2015 01:21am
@Seedoo
You seem to imply that they did not know it to be a grave crime ?
LOL
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Sep 02, 2015 01:25am
Ban them for life! let it be an example for the rest
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Sep 02, 2015 02:06am
PCB never punished anyone of them. Just ICC and England punished them . WHY PCB let them off the hook that easy. All of them should never come anywhere close to national team. Their inclusion will only create controversies in every match.
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Sep 02, 2015 02:24am
These three do not deserve to be again part of the Pakistan team and first class cricket. If they are allowed then it will encourage others. They should be example for those who has intention to follow the same path. They broke trust of the nation and cricket fans throughout the world.
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Sep 02, 2015 02:25am
Wow! I see everyone playing a combined role of a judge, jury n executioner here and delivering verdicts n sentences.
And I am sure they have never lied, cheated, been dishonest, bribed, or "managed truth" otherwise.
If you have never done anything like that, then you don't belong here, you are outright a saint!
My verdict is that since these guys have done their time, they gotta be given a 2nd chance.
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Sep 02, 2015 03:37am
They were not innocent, proven guilty of severe misconduct and un-professionalism. Must be barred to play with home team, good players example should not used to forgive them. You forgive when you make mistake accidentally, the trio committed crime intentionally.
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Sep 02, 2015 04:20am
Say good bye to both Salman and Asif.
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Sep 02, 2015 05:40am
@Abdul Jabbar Sir no they brought bad name to nation should be Banned for life.
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Sep 02, 2015 05:45am
The trio can never be punished enough for bringing disgrace to the country.
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Sep 02, 2015 06:19am
@Abdul Jabbar
Also please don't take away Zardari's livelihood elect him again and also Nawaz Sharif's and Altaf Hussain's they also deserve a second chance, may be 3rd and a 4th and a 5th!
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Sep 02, 2015 06:21am
No we don't need him any more...Sorry..thanks but no thansk
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Sep 02, 2015 06:27am
Come on people! They have served their time. How about most Pakistani politicians who have looted national treasures and still wondering around.
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Sep 02, 2015 06:36am
No punishment is enough for the shame they brought to Gentleman's game and their country. They should reflect on their deed and take retirement forever from cricket and dedicate their lives to community service; only way cricket lovers will forgive them.
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Sep 02, 2015 07:25am
Life ban is totally is not a human punishment, and in fact they had been punished by court for their crime. Punished by ICC for foul play.
They have not punished for bringing disgrace to the Nation.
In My opinion, As per governing laws of game ,PCB can not (and should not) dictate the first class teams in their Selection process. The teams are free to select any one who is eligible to play.
Let them play First class, A class one day , commercial T20. Let them
prove their form ,Fitness and most important Dignity and honor right
in the middle of a cricket field.
For the time being they should not be considered for National team selection.
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Sep 02, 2015 08:16am
It is time to set an example for everybody involved in corruption, at national level such characters should be removed and banned permanently.
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Sep 02, 2015 08:29am
They completed their terms, and should be allowed to pursue their careers like happens with any other convicted people.
Our religion also encourages us to give second chances and forgive people ...
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Sep 02, 2015 08:37am
what happened to the money they made in this episode????????
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Sep 02, 2015 09:13am
@Amir
Did they defame country......yes but what about Zardari, Sharif brothers and so many others........what punishment were given to those...? Did these politicians defame contury....yes....then let the ARMY PUT THEM IN JAIL.....
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Sep 02, 2015 10:29am
not before u apply the same standards to polytricks. (NRO , fake degree, corruption n crap)
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Sep 02, 2015 11:09am
@Mueen-ud-Din Hameed The country is lead by hypocrites from the beginning, even the public is, knowingly they elect Shariff brothers and Zardari. why a honest person like Imran was not elected.
Regarding spot fixing due to Mr.Ijaz bhatt in capability the episode become big, look what happen to IPL fixing , Even your media is not good.
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Sep 02, 2015 12:06pm
Yes, he deserves it because being a captain he should have been a role model, not a cheating instigator. Salman deserves ban for whole life.
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