Former Pakistan batting great and current ICC President Zaheer Abbas said on Monday that the PCB should be willing to go to India for their home series in December to ensure the revival of cricketing ties between two countries, but PCB chief rubbished such proposal and said that they will not visit India for their home series “at any cost”.
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Both players are not happy with the proposed rehabilitation program of the board.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is still unsure about the future of worldwide cricketers Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif.
Both the players are desperate to be allowed to play domestic cricket after lifting of the 5-year ban in spot-fixing case and have been receiving offers from various institutions but they are still waiting for PCB’s decision. The trio was involved in spot-fixing and a British newspaper, News of the World broke the story in 2010, with further investigations revealing that the three players took bribe from bookmaker Mazhar Majeed to bowl no-balls. “At the moment they can not walk back into contention for top cricket, they have to prove their ability to make their way into first-class cricket”. They will lecture the players, coaches, and officials at the domestic level on anti-corruption.
“We had written to the ICC seeking clarification on some points and they have in reply left it to the PCB to complete the rehabilitation process of these players”.
“Obviously we have to talk to these players, convince them and give them time to develop trust once again in the players coming back”. “They can’t be allowed to play any national championship but can only be allowed to play the second-class cricket”.
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The board will now be helping Asif and Butt deliver lectures against corruption in cricket for the completion of their rehabilitation. “We have been in disgrace these last many years, and it’s a big stigma on Pakistan cricket”. His return might have been fast-tracked, but he too was forced to play club and Grade II cricket before making his way into major competitive cricket.
