In 2010-11, Pakistan cricket was dealt a huge blow when Mohammad Asif, Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir were convicted of spot-fixing during a series against England.
The trio were then found guilty of all charges and were banned for five years by the ICC.
Mohammad Amir, who was the youngest of all three, was shown leniency by the ICC and hence he returned to international cricket almost immedietly after his ban was lifted by the council.
However, the other two players are still seeking a call up from the selectors after performing as well as well any other player in the domestic circuit.
Following the ‘unfair treatment’, Mohammad Asif has blamed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for ‘double standards in dealing with players who were banned in 2010.’
Speaking about the matter, he said:
Double standards in the policy (towards the trio) is obvious, he (Mohammad Amir) was quickly added to the team and we are still waiting for a chance. At least, call us to the camp and see if we are capable of doing something.
I deserve a chance for my performance. […] If people can pardon Mohammad Amir, then why I or Salman can’t? If given a chance, I will try to make people pardon me with my performance. I am sure if I can deliver, people will also accept me.
After Asif’s remarks, Salman Butt then decided to talk to media and express his desire to represent the country again, which he let down the most — since he was the captain of the 2010 Pakistan side.
He said:
I want to utilize my form and fitness for Pakistan team. The motivation to play [international cricket] again keeps me going,” he said, adding that he has been working “extremely hard for the past seven years to prove himself.
I have been performing consistently in domestic cricket. I don’t know why I am still not given a chance.
It’s Your Own Fault!
There is no doubt that ICC and PCB, both, have shown some leniency towards Mohammad Amir regarding the spot-fixing case. However, there is good reason behind it, which is evident to everyone but perhaps not to Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt.
When the spot-fixing case occurred, Amir was only 18. The lack of exposure of the cricketing world was one of the main reasons why he got dragged down in the mess.
Salman Butt, who had not only represented Pakistani hundreds of times but also was the captain of the national team, was the one who forced the youngster. So it is only natural for ICC and the Pakistan board to be biased towards someone who was only caught in the crossfire and was young enough to learn from the experience.
Whereas for Butt and Asif, who had been playing cricket for more than 15 years, their claims of ‘injustice’ are completely rubbish and if PCB decide never to give them a second-chance, it would still be fair.
Secondly, both players haven’t really been performing “exceptionally well”. They’ve been average at best. Salman Butt’s performances had no impact on his team, for example his recent 62 of 59 was as useless for his finalist team as his previous performances throughout the tournament. His strike rates aren’t even on par with domestic standards let alone any comparison with international cricketers of the modern era. Asif, on the other hand, has only one 10 wicket haul in the past 10 FC matches and did not play in the recent National T20 cup.
What do you think? Do Asif and Butt deserve another chance and is it worth bringing them back considering what how well other domestic players have been performing? Let us know in the comments below.
Both Deserve One More Chance in PSL 3 Session :
& Muhammad Asif Deserve PCB Part of 11 Squad Team (In Case Of Aamir Not Available) Use it:
Due to Age Factor Aamir Still Young & Both (Salman Butt & Asif) Is Greater than AAMIR
Truly agree with Asif double standards if Amir can be allowed to play then why not Salman and Asif. Everyone talking about Amir age factor being only 18 years oh come on by this age old enough to know what is good and bad why he pretended and lied to all such news why not come clean at once. Later when he knew there wasn’t a way out he threw Salman and Asif under the bus…
SALMAN AND ASIF BOTH DESERVE A CHANCE….
RULES SHOULD BE SAME FOR EVERYONE !!!
Not really. Asif and Butt had been playing cricket for over 15 years – that’s almost how old Amir was at that time. You obviously have to modify the rules to accommodate people who have been caught in a situation where they were ‘forced’ into it. Even if he wasn’t, I still think the influence of a captain who’s indulging in shady activities is too much to ignore.
They do not deserve at all. They should only be restricted to domestic cric or max to PSL (If they perform exceptionally well) but keeping especially eye on both of them. They would be more prone players to be contacted by bookies which can make PSL a racket like IPL.
They don’t deserve any chance. The culprits must be ban forever (including amir). The highest number of players involved in spot fixing belongs to Pakistan XI. This is due to the fact that we don’t make any example by banning the culprits forever. First wasim akram then amir, salman and asif. After that we have numerous Pakistani players involved in PSL spot fixing. If I’m not wrong, our empires were also involved.
Players are the ambassador of their countries. What message we are giving to whole world? What lesson does PCB teach to their players? Fix a match, get ban for few months or years and welcome again.
I can understand where you are coming from but the problem is; can you really just get rid of world-class talent who did not even mature just because he made one mistake? This logic doesn’t apply to Butt and Asif since they were experienced enough to know what was happening inside out.
Butt’s quotes in court even suggested that he was the one who brought the proposal to Amir. If that is actually the case then there should definitely be leniency towards Amir.
If an 18 year old murderer could be hanged to make an example then why a player can’t be banned forever to make another example.
I’m sure, PCB will give green light to Butt and asif in the future just like other culprits.
Brother we should stop defending these…….in the the name of innocence and world class player.
One more thing which article failed to mention is that amir pleaded guilty and cooperated with the inquiry while asif and salman didn’t admit and never cooperated. For this reason alone they shouldn’t be allowed to play.
One thing you are forgetting is that both Asif and Salman served more time in an actual prison facility for what they did. They paid the price by that. Now, the should be treated as equal citizens and should get a chance if performing in domestic league.
They spent more time coz their crime was more and they also didn’t cooperated with the authorities unlike amir. They don’t deserve at all to play in my opinion. You can have yours.