These are extremely tumultuous times for Pak cricket, but this did not happen overnight or in this worldcup. Things have been going bad for Pak cricket for quite a while, listed is a chronological events that explain the decay.
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Pakistan bowlers are accused of ball tampering, charges were malicious and later proved to be incorrect, but Imran Khan in his autobiography admitted tampering balls and learning the trade in county cricket.
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Four Pak players on tour are arrested in the West Indies for use and possession of drugs. All four players are released and allowed to play and continued to play and lead Pakistan, one of them is the current Asst Coach (Acting Coach)
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Match fixing charges are levelled against Pak cricketers, inquiry is conducted that censured players like Akram, Inzimam etc and bans Saleem Malik from cricket or any related activity. According to some, match fixing continues till date in the guise of fancy fixing.
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Only player (Rashed Latif) who challenged match fixers and exposed Pak players involved is sidelined and dropped from the national team.
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During a domestic 20/20 tournament, Shoaib Malik throws a match and proclaims his deed on national Tv. Malik gets a minor punishment and continues to play for Pakistan and is considered a “natural leader” that may assume captaincy for the national team
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Pakistan is the first team in cricketing history to forfiet a test match. Captain involved is held as a national hero and continued to play and lead Pak cricket team.
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In Pakistan, during a test match with India, Shahid Afridi is caught on camera while trying to tamper with the wicket. Shahid Afridi continues to play for Pakistan and is idolized.
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Shoaib Malik, M Hafeez, Shoaib Akhter and Shabbir Ahmed bowling action is called suspect by umpires. Except for Shabbir Ahmed, rest of the players are either cleared or corrected their mistakes. Shabbir Ahmed continued with the same flaw and continued to be an integral part of the national side. This continued till Shabbir Ahmed is called for the third time and gets a one year ban. But matters do not end here, this jhatka is still regarded as a national asset and gets a chance to play in South Africa only to breakdown after bowling two overs.
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Two Pak bowlers, Akhter and Asif are tested positive for using steroids. Even though they are punished, Pcb decides to overrule the decision and allows these two to play for Pakistan. However, due to ICC and Wada threats of lifetime bans on any players tested positive, these two players are held back from the worldcup.
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Pakistan team loses both of its opening matches under mysterious circumstances, in particular against Ireland.
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Bob Woolmer, coach for Pak cricket team is murdered.
We are here today because ethics have been ignored, those who should have been stopped from playing for Pakistan continued to play and lead the national side. Match fixing, throwing, ball tampering, doping and forfieting matches were regarded as minor flaws and players involved got off easy. Had the Pcb taken firm stand against these illegal acts and set the example for others then the current situation cud have been avoided.
