THIS refers to the news report ‘Miandad asks PCB to keep tainted trio away from the game’ (Aug 21). Miandad has advised the Pakistan Cricket Board against recalling the tainted trio of Mohammad Asif, Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir.

I agree with Miandad and give the following reasons for a lifetime ban on the players in question.

These spot-fixers tarnished the image of our team and damaged the reputation of the country.

Their betrayal shook the foundation of the team because its three key players were banned. This left the team struggling for some years and faced crushing defeats. The trio demoralised our national team. They sold their conscience and national integrity by becoming puppets in the hands of bookies.

As members of the national team, PCB rules and regulations bound the players to refrain from such malpractices as spot-fixing. Flouting such rules is misconduct. This breach of discipline demands the black sheep be left out in the cold throughout their lives.

Although they have served the punishment imposed by the ICC, this does not mean the crime is washed away. In modern cricket, there is always temptation of spot-fixing and high probability that the shamed trio would get involved in the shameful act again. As they say ‘old habits die hard’.

Besides, their prime years have been wasted because of ban. Their re-entry in the national team will damage the team as some players of clean character will be sidelined to accommodate them.

Our team has come out of crises and started winning. Sanity demands that the doors be shut on these corrupt players once and for all. Recalling them might encourage other players as well to indulge in spot-fixing.

Nazeer Ahmed Arijo

Larkana

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2015

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