LAHORE: Former Test captains Intikhab Alam and Zaheer Abbas while expressing their disappointment over spot-fixing trend in Pakistan said that had the PCB taken appropriate actions on the past reports, the menace would have been successfully eradicated.

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday after the prize distribution ceremony of a veterans’ cricket tournament at the Model Town ground, Intikhab said: “Spot-fixing incidents are being reported for the last so many years which is unfortunate. Had the PCB implemented my reports given in 2010 and 2016, such incidents would not have been reoccured.”

Intikhab, who led Pakistan in 17 Tests from 1972 to 75 apart from holding different posts in the PCB after his retirement, said as manager and coach his job was to submit a detailed reports on the tours and it was the prime job of the PCB to start implementation of those reports.

On the other hand, Zaheer said had the PCB fully implemented the Justice Abdul Qayyum report on match-fixing scandal in 2000, corruption in Pakistan cricket would have been eliminated.

“It is simply the lust for money among cricketers which gets them lured into negative practices of earning quick money. No one could earn millions from cricket in such a short period through fair means,” remarked the former batting icon.

Both Intikhab and Zaheer hailed performance of experienced batsmen Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq for rendering great services to Pakistan cricket.

Younis and Misbah having completed 10,000 and 5,000 runs respectively in the first Test against the West Indies have already announced their retirement from Test cricket after the ongoing three-match Test series.

“Younis is Pakistan’s icon in cricket and young players should follow in his footstep. The PCB should give Younis as well as Misbah responsibilities after their retirement,” said Intikhab, adding that the Board should adopt policies to bring forward educated and talented cricketers for a better future of the game.

The former Test captain further said that after winning the first Test against West Indies, the task of winning the Test series had become easier.

Ex-batting icon Zaheer while paying tributes to Younis and Misbah said that both served Pakistan in the best possible way, adding that young cricketers should follow them as role models.

“Replacement always comes in case of retirement of any star player but it will take time for Pakistan to find their replacement soon,” commented Zaheer who hailed Pakistan’s performance in the first Test against West Indies.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2017