Their appeals against the ICC ban have been rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) just yesterday. However, Butt, who has been in the news more often than the other two, still aims to play international cricket again, although, he must serve his ban for the sin he has committed. He stated:
“I will be 30 by the time the ban is finished. Let’s see if the motivation is still there.”
“I am trying to keep myself fit and motivated.”
Grave as their crime was, I believe we must forgive the trio after their respective punishment; everyone deserves a second chance.
Salman Butt received a ban for 10 years (five years suspended), Mohammed Asif seven years (two years suspended) and Mohammed Amir for five years. Additionally, a criminal trial resulted in a custodial sentence for each; Salman jailed for two and a half years, Asif for a year and Amir for six months in a young offenders institute, though all were released after having served half of their respective sentences.
The main focus is on Salman Butt and -to some extent – on Mohammad Asif as well.
One could be guilty of naivety to speak in their defence, claiming it to be a conspiracy against Pakistan; yet, for cricket and it’s vociferously protective guardians, it was and is an unforgivable act and any punishment must be just and equal in terms of the crime.
That said, cheating and selling out a nation such as Pakistan isn’t new; politicians have been doing it since the country was formed with blood and brutality as a by-product. So why is it that when it comes to cricket, it is the gravest sin that the nation has ever witnessed?
Furthermore, let me remind you, these men were accused and have been proven guilty of bowling deliberate no-balls rather than throwing a match away, which has happened in the past and the cricketers involved in match fixing never went through as much as these guys did.
So why the double standards?
Salman Butt has been a target of criticism, which to be fair is justified because as a captain he should have set a good example. However, what is unfair is that he was blamed solely for the involvement of Asif and Amir. It was not as if Butt held a gun to their heads and asked them to indulge in spot-fixing; it was an act of a collective group rather than one greedy individual, and, each one of them should face the same consequences.
Cricketers and cricket fans alike are calling for life ban’s, especially for Butt as he is considered as the main instigator, yet one should at least try to give them the benefit of doubt because after all cricket is their daily bread and butter and that is all they know.
Sometimes people change and become better human beings after going through such demeaning and life shattering experiences. Gambling in cricket is widespread, and to be honest, they are just at the tip of something that happens often enough to be ordinary.
Who knows, maybe now all three of them have learnt their lesson knowing that they let down 180 million cricket fans?
Let’s face it; match fixing or spot fixing is a global issue. Many have been caught, many have escaped.
Punishing these three so harshly sends a strong message to all others and should make others think twice but has the ICC achieved that? Many players still playing are involved in fixing.
Photo: Kalim Khan
The picture above has been placed just to focus your attention on something we never looked at before.
My point, thus, is simple, if we can give corrupt politicians a second chance, then what harm is there in giving Butt, Asif and Amir one more chance?
The future for these three may not be as bright anymore, and they will know that they only have themselves and their greed to blame for their shame; they will, hence, work even harder to redeem themselves.
Give them another chance, let them make things right.
Follow Kalim on Twitter @Kallerz37
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.
To the best of my knowledge those caught for throwing away matches were banned for life – eg jadeja, azharuddin, prabhakar etc.
So where is the question of leniancy.
As for the two alleged fixed matches above – it has to be proven.
You are probably indulging in some good old persecution complex – everyone is against pakistanis etc.
I do not agree with the writer. This was not Asif’s first offence and Salman Butt is from an educated family and should have known better. The only one who should be given a chance, IF given a chance would be Amir as he is neither educated nor mature enough to know the right thing to do when ‘a captain who has a say in whether a player can be picked for the team or not‘ tells you do something! (Thats pretty much equivalent to putting a gun to someones head in cricketing terms)
I think your argument is flawed. “If we can give corrupt politicians a second chance…”?? We shouldn’t be giving corrupt politicians a second chance because it sends out the wrong message. I do agree that Butt is unfairly getting most of the blame. And yes, it isn’t new to sell out Pakistan but, amidst all the corruption and disaster in Pakistan, cricket is the one thing that brings all Pakistanis together. It gives young boys pakistani heroes to look up to. It gives Pakistanis something to be proud of, something to enjoy as a nation. THAT is why this is so unforgivable in the eyes of many.
I think the problem is this: in other countries cricket players are paid a pretty decent salary. Recently I read that Pakistani players haven’t been paid for the past four months. If they are expected to commit almost a full 12 months to the game then how in the world are they going to get by? Not every cricket player can open a restaurant or go on indian tv to earn a little extra.
However, what is unfair is that he was blamed solely for the involvement of Asif and Amir. It was not as if Butt held a gun to their heads and asked them to indulge in spot-fixing; it was an act of a collective group rather than one greedy individual, and, each one of them should face the same consequences.
Same applies for Musharraf.
don’t agree with you one bit mr. author. there should be no second chances for those who are don’t admit their guilt, are not repentant, and have no remorse. these crooks deserve nothing short of a life ban. while mohammad amir publicly apologized for his crime and vowed not to fall to prey to any such hanky panky, these crooks on the other hand have no shame or guilt. i don’t think any self-respecting Pakistani would want to see these guys play for the country ever again.
Salman Butt still refuses to admit he had done anything wrong. What chance of redemption is there then? The same goes for Asif. As for Amir, if you looked through the records of both the criminal and civil trials as well as the tirbunal’s then you would know that he did. That is unforgivable.
In my point of view Mohammad Aamir should be given a second chance….if they can, he is immature and lacks proper education…..He gave up his studies to become a cricketer….and then he is a kid!!…..Asif has always been a centre of controversies, so let him be and Salman Butt coming from an educated and strong family background….this act was shameful!! He first in the court accepted his mistake but after returning from prison, in one of his interviews on local TV he denied the facts!! Such a turn off……
So No sympathy vote for him !! he doesnt deserve a second chance!!
Is the picture trying to imply fixing by Luke Wright and R P Singh (surely bowling no balls isn’t a crime in itself) by using phrases like the “heart of match fixing” without a shred of evidence.
Maybe ET should consult its legal cell before letting certain blogs through, even with the standard disclaimer.
@Weird: Author has called Mumbai Hear of Match Fixing because of its background.
Yes you are right No Ball itself is not a crime but you have see circmstances in which it has bee bowled.I cant say anything about of Luke Wright No Ball but R.P Singh’s No Ball has changed the result of the match. Nobody is claiming that he bowled it delibratly but the thing is why ICC AntiCrupption Unit is silent about it why they dont they start any investigation on it.
No mercy for the cheaters,especially national cheaters.
@deep: There is a difference between throwing a match away and bowling 2 no balls in a TEST MATCH (which hardly effects the outcome) & I am not even asking for a leniency, just saying they committed a crime, paid for it so a new start.
The other two haven’t been proven because there is no investigation done or pre-planned operation. Also I am not the “everyone is against Pakistan”, If I was I would’ve defended them, which if you read the piece again, I didn’t. Asked to forgive them AFTER their respective punishment.
@JB: Asif’s previous offences were on disciplinary ground, not selling his country & he was punished for previous offences already. Yes, Butt was the biggest letdown, I was a big fan and couldn’t believe that this could be true. Also, had Amir not listened to Butt, how much of a chance did Butt stand to drop our best bowler on the show after MOM performances during the tour? No skipper would be THAT stupid.
@Sidrah: We shouldn’t but we do and the funniest thing is, those corrupt politicians don’t even get punished, straight back into power. At least these guys got punished for the sins they have committed!
@3footninja, @AZ & @Skeptical: Yes, those two are only creating problems for themselves by not admitting their guilt, nevertheless they are punished and didn’t get away with it hence no hard feelings.
@Pakistan: Why should the ACU make a fuss? The history of cricket is littered with examples of matches being decided by one mistake – maybe they should also look at the slog sweep of Pakistan’s current captain whose slog sweep decided the 20 World Cup. In any case, the ACU already oversees the IPL, so unless they noticed a lacuna in the arrangements, they should be satisfied with the legality of it.
All this is however pointless.
Why give them another chance when they haven’t admitted to the crimes and apologized? Seriously.
I think we must stop advocating these fixers, they were caught for no-balls, but there were text conversation b/w them and Mazhar Majeed even before the infamous test match, some were during World T20 in West Indies.
PCB and other authorities must make them an example for other corrupt Cricketers, no matter how talented they are, but if they are corrupt, they don’t deserve to wear Pakistan’s shirt.
A fantastic article, that RP Singh no-ball in the IPL especially looks extremely dodgy.
They have been banned for almost 3 years now, even sent to jail in Britain. What more do the authorities want? This is nothing short of persecution. They were given jail sentences for what was primarily a SPORTING crime, for how they ‘cheated’ people who do not respect money enough in the first place and choose to gamble and be prepared to lose it in a game of chance.
Not to mention the fact that there was NO explicitly stated punishment/penalty for “spot-fixing” – as it is now being called – in the ICC Code of Conduct.
An apology would be welcome but it is not a requirement, it is time the suffering of our boys was brought to an end.
Asif and Butt, have still not admitted what they did. Butt & Asif, these guys should never represent Pakistan. Even Butt today said, that he is innocent.
Aamir initially denied but later admitted that he has done it. Aamir should be given another chance (AFTER HIS BAN) and provided he is still good enough.
And yes all three are responsible for their actions.
You forgot to mention the global conspiracy, led by Israel and Jamaica, to defame Pakistani Cricketers.
You ask: why Jamaica? If Pakistani players would have played the IPL, their players would have gone for a toss in IPL.
You are spot on, Author! Your country needs more people like you..
@Weird: ICC should also investigate Suresh Raina as he was found mingling with famous bookie. My friend that what I am saying that they only investigate the matters of their own choice.
Pak Cricketers were let off the hook before in the 90’s. Result is here for everyone to see. Cricket is their bread and butter and they cheated with it. characterless people do that Pak cricket has suffered enough due to fixers and lack of will to live without fixers. No one is irreplaceable. There will be other cricketers better then these crop of cheaters. Pakistani nation deserves better. Pakistan team deserves better. As far as i am concerned who ever wants to give these cricketers another chance is an enemy of Pakistan Cricket.
asif, amif and butt having enormous talent and the world of cricket was afraid of them so they successed to found them guilty.It was totally pre planned majeed himself talk millions of $ from some cricket playing nations and he was told to make video while giving money to pakistani players.. so some lessons for new emergings players in world of cricket.
I think the banned should be for life time.They didn’t think only for one time for pakistan that what they are doing they were their because of Pakistan and they spoil it just for some money.and if they have some prestige they are not suppose to go further for any court because they got the answer…..
@deep:
Pakistani living in England just the mear thought of a second chance,one should die of shame.the crime The integrity of a nation at stake and now this if they are serious about this and forgivness they should repent.clean the feet of an avrage pakistani who lives on less then pound a day for the next 10 years and then consider all options,then again bent cricters and lets say politicans and business men is part and parcel in Pakistan.
The question you should be asking is should they be in pakistani prison along with the other Butt who manged the circus.
Please let this be a leasson and hope we have made a start in cleaning up Pakistan cricket,then again the adminstrators who are corupt to the core will loose their jobs.
As we say Pakistan Zinda-abad,and always may Allah swt guide Pakistan and Pakistanis that inclueds me.
@Pakistan:
The only difference being that Amir has admitted to spot fixing. I feel he should be given a second chance. However, I have no sympathy for the crooks Salman Butt and M. Asif. The cheek of Butt (no pun intended) claiming that he got 30000 pounds for attending an opening of ice cream parlour….what the heck ?
If politicians in #Pakistan can be given repeated chances after tax invasion and corruption then why can’t we let Salman and Asif be given a chance?