An event where most of the Pakstanis’ first reaction was hey its a big conspiracy against our superstars, the world cant tolerate our rise and shine etc etc.
Those who were charged denied all allegations. Then as investigation was done everything became clear. Even the trio accepted guilty and jailed as well.
Why is it more important to remember it today? Because these three named and shamed are again ready to be back in Cricket team as if this whole black chapter never happened. Most Pakistanis are also ready to forgive and welcome them back.
Please dont! Dont repeat this mistake. We’ll be better off without these criminals.
What they did was indeed deceitful and worthy of scorn
But are we saying that people do not deserve a second chance in life despite serving their punishment and/or despite showing penitence? (however not 100% convinced about the latter with these three)
They will have to live with this stain for the rest of their lives. The fans certainly won't be very kind to them on their return at least initially. They will have to put up with chants of 'cheaters, cheaters' (or something even nastier) from the crowds.
Let them face the music because they surely brought it upon themselves...
but lets give them one last chance to redeem themselves.
I'm not really surprised over the posters' reactions here or the same for most of the Pakistanis as they are ready to forgive and welcome them back as we forget things pretty quickly and we've a lot of soft corner for our "heroes".
I remember when they were charged a ton of people were saying its a huge conspiracy. Not only that, i remember Pakistani high commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hassan in UK did a press conference in which he outright rejected saying its a baseless claim.
They got punishment cuz they were caught in UK. Had that thing happened in Pakistan, whole matter would have been pushed under the carpet long back. It has become a norm in our society unfortunately. @Southie Ofcourse they have done their time, DUH! But that should only mean that they can live free, do wutever with their lives, play with anyone who accepts them. But should they represent the country?? Absolutely not. And this is something that should be decided by PCB.
If they come back in team again, you are just sending a message to young cricketers that you can do these malpractices too. If you dont get caught, you have hit a lotto and can get millionaire easily, otherwise if get caught, get out for 4-5 yrs and then welcome back to the team. Not a good idea at all.
Yes, I agree with my friend from Noo Yawk. They have done their time. Now they can do "whut ever they want with their lives. Including play cricket for their country if they are selected.
I also agree with the gentleman that if we dont let people who have done their time back into their profession, what message are we sending to the youngstets? That if you make a mistake in life, you can live like a vegetable, but freely of course.
The gentleman makes an excellent point. Just misunderstood his point initially.
I agree with Syd, that while it was heart breaking to see what these idiots did, it was more shameful that our ability to see a conspiracy in everything was at play here as well. While Amir accepted his crime straight away the other two kept denying it even after they were jailed. I cannot forgive Butt as he was the main culprit in this as it was him who arranged all this. He brought shame and embarrassment to Pakistan and than had the nerve to lie about it. On the other hand our shameless and shallow media used to bring him on as cricket expert on TV. I am prepared to forgive Amir and Asif but never Butt,never for what he did. It is a shame he only served a limited time in jail wish he had got life in prison for what he did. OK rant over.
I think if anything it tells youngsters that it is not worth selling your soul or cutting corners for a few fast illegal $$$. Had they not been caught, each would have gotten a few £1000 at most… right. apart from great badnaami and shame of course.
On the other hand had Amir & Asif been playing regularly during the time they were banned they would have had 250+/- and 350 +/- test wickets respectively by now and been millionaires in £ in their own right. Asif is already a millionaire (in Pak Rupees at least). Was reported at the time to have 2 or 3 houses in Lahore alone.
BTW just gone thorugh Justice qayum report. considering the big names and the level of match fixing they did , spot fixing of current lot looks very small issue.
Wasim akram , mushtaq , Ijaz ( regular fixers ) , Saqlain , inzi , saeed anwar ,even basit ali are atleast 1- 2 offenders. They sold the whole match rather one or two no ball. We didnt learnt that time .
BTW just gone thorugh Justice qayum report. considering the big names and the level of match fixing they did , spot fixing of current lot looks very small issue.
Wasim akram , mushtaq , Ijaz ( regular fixers ) , Saqlain , inzi , saeed anwar ,even basit ali are atleast 1- 2 offenders. They sold the whole match rather one or two no ball. We didnt learnt that time .
Because thats what we did at that time too. We declared Wasim Akram and others as our "national asset" and provided them covering by sliding the matter under the carpet. Thats exactly wut we are trying to do here as well.
I'll repeat this, had this not happened in England nobody would hv got punishment at all.
