As the spot-fixing spreads like a virus in Pakistan, Javed Miandad, a legendary batsman, and former national captain, has demanded severe punishment for the spot-fixers, saying he had no sympathies for players who commit betrayal with their teams and country.
Miandad has lashed out at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for forgiving players involved in spot-fixing, saying such players should be hanged for spoiling the image of their country.
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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Miandad said: “Players who are involved in spot-fixing should be severely punished. Spot-fixers should be hanged because it is similar to killing someone and so the punishment should also be on the same lines.”
The former captain further added, “PCB is not doing the right thing by forgiving them. An example should be set so that no player even thinks about doing something like this. The people who bring these players back should be ashamed of themselves. These things go against the teachings of our religion (Islam) and should be treated accordingly.”
Javed said such players who involved in the spot-fixing should not be forgiven on even humanitarian grounds, saying they don't deserve to live. He added: “I feel these players who are found guilty are not even sincere to their own families and parents or they would never do this. They are spiritually not clear. These activities are not good at all on humanitarian grounds and such people don't deserve to live.”
He also lamented that “it is so easy for players to get involved in these corrupt practices, make money and then use their influence and connections to come back into the team.”
The legendary batsman urged the players to focus on the game and earn through their skills with their performances, not through such corrupt activities, because he knew how millions of people prayed for the team to do well and how cricket brought smiles and joy to Pakistanis.
He also recalled the time when Pakistan won the 1992 World Cup and how the entire nation had treated them. Miandad signed off by saying, “Imagine when the trust of these millions is broken should those breaking it be forgiven and allowed to play again?”
(With PTI Inputs)
