Former batsman Zaheer Abbas welcomed the recent move made by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), asking the government to criminalise fixing in sports, after far too long maintaining a "soft" stance on corrupters who ruin the game. 

The PCB has time and again come under the scanner for letting cricketers, who indulge in spot or match-fixing, off the hook and allowing them to resume with their careers. 

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Recent most example being left-hand batsman Sharjeel Khan, who, despite proven involvement in the 2017 PSL spot-fixing scandal, was playing for Karachi Kings in the league's 2020 edition. 

Before that, it was pacer Mohammad Amir. Amir was involved in 2010 spot-fixing incident at Lord's and yet, he is looking forward to a long career on the field. 

"It is the right thing to do (criminalising fixing) for the Pakistan board because for too long, we have been soft while dealing with corruption cases and these have led to a string of scandals which badly damaged our image and also hurt our cricket's progress," PTI quoted Abbas as saying. 

"If the militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus dealt a big blow to Pakistan cricket as we were forced to play away from home, these corruption scandals have not been less damaging to our cricket over the years."

"In the end it is Pakistan cricket which suffered as we lost good players and more importantly we sent out the wrong message to cricketers and even those who try to lure, entice and corrupt players," he added. 

"I say spare no one because this is the worst thing a cricketer can do to his country, team and sports."

In a recent podcast, PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani said he has spoken to the government to legislate a law which would make match-fixing and spot-fixing criminal offences. 

Abbas, on his part, said he is still coming to terms with players going down the wrong path, especially when today there is so much more money to be made legally from the sport. 

"The earnings of the players from playing domestic cricket, for their national teams, in T20 leagues, endorsements, sponsorships is so much that at times, it is hard to comprehend what is wrong with the players who get caught in this web of corruption," he said. "These bookmakers should not be spared as well."

(Inputs from PTI)