England series: Amir's presence would have enhanced Pakistan, says Stewart
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Former England captain Alec Stewart has thrown his weight behind the tainted trio of Mohammed Amir, Mohammed Asif and Salman Butt, saying the players should be allowed to play international cricket after having completed their punishments.
“They have done their punishment,” said Stewart in an interview to Pakpassion.net.
“That’s what we expected which is that once you have completed your ban, you are entitled to come back into the game and play again.”
The 52-year-old former wicketkeeper-batsman made it clear though that if the players were to repeat their misdemeanours, a life ban would become a necessary option.
“Let’s make sure that there is no repetition of what they did before, because if there is then life bans have to come into the picture,” he said.
In February 2011 an anti-corruption tribunal of the International Cricket Council (ICC) imposed a ban of five years on Amir, seven years on Asif — of which the final two years were conditionally suspended — and 10 years on Butt — of which the final five years were conditionally suspended.
They were charged with violating the ICC code of conduct by receiving money in return for arranging deliberate no-balls during the Lord's Test against England in 2010.
Stewart said that more players will now be cautious before thinking about breaking rules.
“It was bad for the game but people have learnt their lessons and we won’t have a repeat of those type of incidents again,” said Stewart who is currently an executive director at Surrey county cricket club.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) allowed opening batsman Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir to play division two and club cricket from September 2, but the trio will be barred from first class and international matches until their rehab program ends on February 28 next year.
Stewart said Amir's presence in the Pakistan side for the upcoming series against England would have made things interesting.
“It would have been more interesting had Mohammad Amir been selected.”
“If he had been selected and started to bowl anything like how he had bowled when he emerged onto the international scene then he could have surely enhanced the quality of the Pakistan eleven,” said Stewart.
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On DawnNews
Comments (48) Closed
Oct 07, 2015 10:14pm
Current line up of Pakistan is more than handy to cause havoc for British! Watch out Pakistani Tsunami is on the way .Can Yasir Shah complete his 100 Test wicket in this series we eagerly looking forward.England real test begins against Pakistan now.I know even ICC cannot save England team from demolition.
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Oct 07, 2015 10:19pm
If only Stewart would replace Haroon as a pcb think tank
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Oct 07, 2015 10:32pm
Wow proud moment for pakpassion, made it into dawn news. Congratulations.
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Oct 07, 2015 10:35pm
this PCB, Shaharyar, Haroon must be given much more higher valued estimations... a nexus of wonderful people and board.
even others are pleading and begging PCB to induct Amir in Pak team. What the fish are they are thinking and stopping Amir.
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Oct 07, 2015 10:39pm
No need to call them crooks back. More than enough fish in the tank. Whatever happened to the boys Wasim was training a few days ago ? :(
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Oct 07, 2015 10:43pm
Agree with Stewart. They have served their punishment.
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Oct 07, 2015 10:50pm
Mr Stewart is perhaps forgetting that There was No Amir last time , when his team was White Washed in the desert of UAE , not only that , it also meant that England lost their number 1 test team status right after that series ... No Amir , No Asif , Yet Pakistan had the better of English men ... Please keep your suggestions to your team , You guys and your countrymen were at the forefront of throwing the Pakistan team to the wolves , after the incident of spot fixing in England , how come you are showing sympathy for the same team . Do Not play with words Sir , you are scared of the same fate this time around and are just using your native language and old tactics ( divide and rule ) to sow the seeds of discontent among the Pakistani team , i.e some standing up to have Amir in the team and some saying No to the idea , so the team's unity is destroyed .who will benefit , off course England in UAE this time , so you are using your old tactics in the garb of sympathy to convicted person
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Oct 07, 2015 10:52pm
Not to worry , we know how to manage without him. You would be better off worrying for your own team getting a hiding.
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Oct 07, 2015 10:54pm
That is the way forward. These guys have paid a big price for there crime now they should be considered for selection if the perform well in donestic cricket. AMIR took 10 wickets last week and yeaterday he also scored 60 not out Vs KRl. He looks in great nick.
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Oct 07, 2015 10:54pm
A positive statement from Alec Stewart about Amir. I think its better for Amir to play at the domestic level for now, that'll help him in getting back into form, fitness and get his confidence back. Before he starts playing at the international level he has to be at his best. PCB for once has played it right.
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Oct 07, 2015 10:58pm
Bring Amir Back
If Shaib Malik , Kamran Akmal, Umar Akaml, Whab Riza can still play why Not Mohammad Amir.
Some cricketers are jealous from him because he will get Permanent spot easily in all formats.
Amir if PCB do not select you, please join Bangladesh or any other country. Every country will happily accept you.
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Oct 07, 2015 11:07pm
He is right. What the point of punishment then?
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Oct 07, 2015 11:10pm
No need to get hasty, thus far Amir hasn't been extraordinary. Why should he get something he doesn't merit? While others don't ? If he deserves it no problem.
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Oct 07, 2015 11:10pm
@Shahid Khan why ? We all say that he has done his punishment then why domestic cricket. He should be put back in the team with stern warning that this time if he is influenced by anyone he should report it right away.
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Oct 07, 2015 11:12pm
To include Aamir in team will be on the cost of some other bowler. And it is all about securing one's position. So, Aamir will face a tough time before getting a place in int'l team.
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Oct 07, 2015 11:26pm
Pakistani public will not tolerate return of corrupt cricketers in national team.
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Oct 07, 2015 11:49pm
At least now we got to show some character as a nation to the world. Never invite these cricketers back in the team.
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Oct 07, 2015 11:51pm
Mind game begins!!!
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Oct 07, 2015 11:57pm
Please, please let Amir play. He was a young person, who has not made foolish decisions at that age. The other two should be given further punishment of life time ban by Pakistan Cricket Board, they were senior players and one was a captain. Surely, it carries a higher level of responsibility. And forcing a new player into corrupt practices adds to their guilt.
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Oct 08, 2015 12:12am
I think big Ego issues are at stake with our cricket managers. I am baffled.
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Oct 08, 2015 01:19am
A very mature statement by Alec Stewart.
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Oct 08, 2015 01:25am
To all those that are asking for Amir to be brought back into the team, please remember this:
If you bring him back, you will have to ALLOW every single player that is corrupt a 2nd chance even after they have been proven guilty in a court of law.
That would only be fair and consistent.
If you only ban them for life after they are found guilty the 2nd time, then they will keep doing it until they are caught the first time.
Either you have a zero tolerance policy or you allow corrupt practices.
As they say, you can't have your cake and eat it !!!!
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Oct 08, 2015 01:41am
@Rashid Sheikh not only Haroon but Ramiz Raja too who talks complete non-sence about Amer.
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Oct 08, 2015 04:04am
I agree, Trio should be given a chance.
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Oct 08, 2015 04:27am
Fully in agreement with main theme of the article. Do not have to vidictive ,watchful for any wrong doing yes. I believe Amir and Asif are the missing aces. They have paid their dues.
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Oct 08, 2015 04:28am
Aamir is back. He could not qualify on merit to displace any of the current bowlers in the line-up.
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Oct 08, 2015 05:11am
This is a balanced view. I hope Aamir gets selected for T20 World Cup.
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Oct 08, 2015 06:40am
Aamer and others two stubbornly lied on TV shows that they have not cheated for money and threatening to sue those who were blaming them for crime against game ,fans and nation. LATER in the court they confessed their crime. Prior to that they showed no remorse. Serving a sentence does not cleanse them.letting them play is like rewarding a cheat at the expense of clean players. Let them sit out and mourn their deeds.
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Oct 08, 2015 06:48am
Yes, what this trio indulged in, was bad for the game and tainted Pakistan's image further. On the other hand Pakistanis have a holier than thou attitude. Look at our society. Majority would curse politicians and and influential people for their everyday wrong doings yet, a vast majority will not hesitate doing the same while giving all the lame excuses. Stewart has nothing personal to gain. He comes from a society which strongly believes in accountability and moving on. Stewart is right, the guys have served their time. Let them play for the bread and butter. If there is a repeat put a life ban.
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Oct 08, 2015 08:05am
@Khan you did not get my point, any player who has not played cricket for so long definately needs time to come back into full rhythm. Initially playing at cricket at domestic level first and that too after a long lay off will help him regain his confidence, art of using the new and old ball and above all, get back his mental strenght as a top crickter.
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Oct 08, 2015 08:17am
Why not allow Aamer to to be allowed to play for England as a goodwill gesture and as a special gesture for compensation.
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Oct 08, 2015 08:24am
I just don't understand the mindset of critics (haters) of Amir. It's appalling to see when someone is eligible to play is arbitrarily being kept out with one pretext after another.
PCB itself is highly currept organization itself. It has never opened its own books for independent audits. Hundreds of millions dollars are earned from this game by the board and it never provides any justification how's that money being spent. Shame on these ppl who take away rights of others and declare themselves guardians of high morals.
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Oct 08, 2015 08:48am
Amir should definitely be considered for playing cricket at international level but purely on merit and once he gets back to his old cricketing form.
Lets forget his past as he has done his time and also lets not forget, amongst us, who has not faulted in our past. This is for those who do not forgive and forget.
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Oct 08, 2015 09:51am
Hope English men won't be sledging over Amir when he start bowling them out.
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Oct 08, 2015 11:14am
@KARACHI WALA
Please let's not compare sport with politics.
We may have a holier than thou attitude, and yes, most of us do stuff that we regret.
However, to my mind, none of us have represented our nation at the highest level of cricket and played at the sacred turf at Lord's. These three did, and they accepted corrupt payments whilst doing so.
Nobody in the history of Pakistan has done that, other than these three. That is an indisputable fact.
What message do you want to send to kids playing in the street:
Is it:
1) Yes, by all means cheat, just don't get caught. And even if you do, we'll give you a 2nd chance, or
2) Do not cheat.
To me it is a very simple choice - zero tolerance.
Remember, the kid playing cricket has these guys as his role models - not the corrupt politicians.
If cricketing role models are corrupt, that sends a very disturbing message to the entire country.
For me these guys were given the honour of representing Pakistan, but they dishonoured that.
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Oct 08, 2015 12:13pm
@Abu Hamza Pakistani people are accepting corrupt politician again and again, whats wrong with accepting a cricketer then?
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Oct 08, 2015 12:19pm
Totally agreed!!! selection into national team should be based on ability and form of a player not what he has done in past!!!
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Oct 08, 2015 12:52pm
We need to remain on our 'cheating guard' and keep tainted players away from International circuit to send strong message. Has we banned players of Qayyum's report, we wouldn't have seen the trio implicated in cheating.
Allowing anyone of the trio will send a weak message.
We have dozens of talented cricketers waiting in line for a chance.
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Oct 08, 2015 12:56pm
Dear Alec Stewart thank you for thinking really good for Pakistan cricket however we regret your views because in Pakistan we have many issues attached to our team selection, it is not only competency that matters, please understand what I mean.
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Oct 08, 2015 02:41pm
Get ready for that bump England...you know the one..when you are brought back down to earth...all through the 2000s you wanted to be known as world beaters and look down on others...now you have been on the receiving end of a few hidings i would have thought that you were a little level headed but does not look like it...so we are going to bring you back to earth....Lol
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Oct 08, 2015 02:54pm
unnecessary comments by Stewart.
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Oct 08, 2015 03:26pm
Stewart is just trying to cause confusion and controversy in Pakistan ranks.
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Oct 08, 2015 03:34pm
Pakistan may have whitewashed Engalnd last time but this time England will play much better. Just look at how they dealing with Pak A team
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Oct 08, 2015 04:06pm
Mr. Stewart, Please take him to England>>>>>>>>>
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Oct 08, 2015 04:43pm
The Last time English came to face our boys after their jubilant victory over the Aussies in the Ashes. Pakistan thrashed them with a white wash. Let's see if Pakistan is capable of turning the tables around for yet another time again.
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Oct 08, 2015 04:53pm
@Dawar Yesi agree with you amir should be selected,if not then he should join some other country where he can percue his career,he has served his punishment,that does not mean end of his life.so please let him play and prove it to you that he is worth the place
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Oct 08, 2015 06:14pm
Aamir should have been selected.
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Oct 09, 2015 03:16am
Is he serious?
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