Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir have been given permission by the International Cricket Council to return to all formats of cricket after their ban expired on 1st September, 2015.
This means that the three players are free to play in any form of competitive cricket including international cricket. Pakistan Cricket Board has accepted the decision of ICC but Salman and Asif will not be allowed to play domestic or international cricket any sooner.
PCB has decided to launch rehabilitation programme for Butt and Asif as a part of the process for allowing them in cricket again. Other than this, PCB has decided not to let these two play in the upcoming domestic tournament in Rawalpindi. Both the players must start from the bottom and prove their form and fitness before returning to any kind of higher level if cricket.
Salman and Asif must also visit all the four domestic regions in the country, as a part of an educational programme, and spread awareness against corruption and related issues.
According to ESPN Cricinfo, PCB chairman Shahryar Khan said:
“ICC requires us to put these boys under a programme in which they address the players and lecture them on anti-corruption. They should tell the players at all levels about their misconduct and the disgrace they brought into cricket. Meanwhile, we are allowing them to play club cricket and Grade 2 cricket, the same policy we adopted with Amir.”
As far as other players, current and former, are concerned, they have their point of views about the trio. Since, the act these players were involved in, has brought disgrace to the country and the game of cricket, majority are not willing to accept their return to higher levels of cricket.
Pakistan’s T20 captain, Shahid Afridi has asked PCB to think hard before taking any decision about these players.
He told the press at his visit to Jinnah Hospital,
“No decision should be taken in haste since there is the future of Pakistan cricket and future generation of cricketers at stake here. I would just say the Board should think hard and discuss everything before taking a decision on these players.”
Besides Afridi, former Pakistani cricketers have also not supported the return of the trio involved in spot-fixing scandal.
Former Pakistani Test Cricketer, Rashid Latif told the press,
“The way I look at this situation it is very wrong for that person to play again for Pakistan who has been involved in corruption and cheating. It is not right for those players who have played by the rules”
Former cricketer and chief selector, Mohsin Hasan Khan has said that these players might have served their punishment but to him the crime they committed was huge and that they don’t deserve a second chance.
Similar was the opinion of Bazid Khan, a former Pakistani Test opener. He said,
“They have served their bans but the PCB, I think, needs to make them and others realize the consequences of their crime. It has to set an example for others. Maybe allow them play domestic cricket but not international cricket”
On the return of players who have been involved in spot-fixing and were found guilty for the crime as well, we see a much divided opinion. Some are supporting their return while many are considering their return a disgrace.
Despite all that, it is up to PCB to decide the future of the trio. In my opinion, if PCB decides to bring them back in the competitive cricket any sooner, this decision will not be much welcomed. It will take a long time for all three to be accepted by the nation and their acceptance is the key to their return to higher levels of cricket. Till then, they will have to prove themselves at lower levels.
