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MUMBAI: The spot-fixing scandal and the eventual convictions of the Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt may hang like a dark cloud over the upcoming series between Pakistan and England in the UAE, all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has said.
“The scandal broke out in the series against England and we will play them soon again. But in spite of the on-field bonhomie, some estrangement is bound to exist,” he added noting the recent comments by Andrew Strauss where he warned his players not to let festering ill-feeling towards Pakistan turn into personal vendettas.
The scandal that emerged during the Lord's Test last year not only put Pakistan in the spotlight, but also tainted England somewhat.
“It is bound to affect both teams when such things crop up. For a selected few, the whole team gets the blame. England won the series on merit. Of course, there were questions raised about their capabilities once the corruption was exposed. I feel it was unfair,” he said.
Commenting on the bans handed out to Amir, Asif and Butt, Razzaq said it was a much-needed lesson for the team but that in the case of the teenage fast bowler the sentence could have reduced.
“I am personally sad because a youngster of the calibre of Mohammad Amir was involved in it, but I welcome the ICC's decision and the judgment that followed,” he said.
“All three of them had potential, but Amir was very young and talented. Sad, he lost his credibility... Don't know if he will ever come back again.”
