So much has been written in the last few days about the cheating during the final Test at Lord's, that there's not a lot I can add for my friends in Pakistan. First, let me say I attended the third day of the match, when Trott and Broad broke so many records that you would assume they would take most front pages of the newspapers, whereas in fact they didn't even make the back pages. And on the final day, Swann had a five-wicket haul which barely got a mention - perhaps because he didn't bowl any no-balls. However, I'd like to say how much I admired Mike Holding's resolute stand on Sky Television, which has been followed up by several journalists, namely that the perpetrators of this debacle must, and surely will be, punished very severely, but I hope those in authority will look at Mohammad Amir in a different light. Which one of us at the age of 18 is not influenced by our role models - those older and senior people who advise us? Which one of us, at the age of 18, if we came from a poor background, might not succumb, if offered a vast sum of money to bowl one no-ball? Mike Holding described Amir as one of the most exciting prospects he'd seen for many years. I only hope we, the fans, won't be robbed of that excitement for ever, and that having served a fair punishment, Amir will be allowed to return and delight us all again. Certainly no-one could have paid him to get four of England's top cricketers out for nought on the second day, and there can't have been any doubt in anyone's mind that he was trying his hardest to win the match. Like Swann, he took five wickets and both their names will go on the honours board at Lord's. Let us hope not for the last time.
Several people have called for Pakistan to be banned from international cricket. I hope the ICC will do everything in their power to rout out the real culprits - the organisers, those who have been at it for years - and punish them severely, but why should those innocent members of the team suffer? Pakistan has enough problems at the moment without their next generation of young children, still hurling balls at each other in back streets, being told they will never have the chance to walk onto the pitch at Lord's, with the hope of seeing their names on the honours board.
Several people have called for Pakistan to be banned from international cricket. I hope the ICC will do everything in their power to rout out the real culprits - the organisers, those who have been at it for years - and punish them severely, but why should those innocent members of the team suffer? Pakistan has enough problems at the moment without their next generation of young children, still hurling balls at each other in back streets, being told they will never have the chance to walk onto the pitch at Lord's, with the hope of seeing their names on the honours board.
5 Comments:
Let me reccomend a book that i have found that is of great interest. I hope you dont mind me suggesting that you get a copy of "A Nobody In Mashonaland" by C E Finlason who played criket for South Africa against England in the late 1880's. It is about his travels across what is now South Africa and Zimbabwe, is very well written, and humourously written, and involves all manner of hardship and danger - inclduing lions and crocodiles, and worse of all the fever. It's not in print so you'll need to get a second hand copy via amazon or abe books.
All the best Jeff.
Richard
Dear Sir
I fully agree with your sentiments as a cricket fan, I am a Pakistani and of course a great fan of yours also. Everyone messes up in life, (including us) maybe Amir and Asif did also (one man's word is not proof) but then didn't Mark Waugh and Shane Warne admitted to taking money from Bookies also. I am not defending the Pakistani cricketers, I am just saying , everyone should be treated the same. Suraj Randiv of Sri Lanka was banned for 1 match for bowling a no ball so that Shewag didnt get his century, while Broad of England gets away with his temper tantrums all the time. He threw the ball at the Pakistani Keeper , injured him yet only escaped with a 50% match fee fine.
You yourself Sir admitted to perjury, was treated harshly only because you are a famous and celebrated author, (maybe this was Justice Potts last chance of being remembered (isn't notorious a form of being famous), we sympathized with you, let us not treat the Pakistani crickets differently.
Cheers
Sachal Lakhwani (essel1@yahoo.com)
Karachi, Pakistan
Hi jeffrey! i totally agree with you.Mohamad Aamir n other players invoved in this scandal should be punished for spoiling the most entertainig game. but the punishment should be one year ban not more than that because after all these players are talented and it would be lose to loose them for ever especially Mohd. Aamir.
Richard: many thanks for the recommendation.
Sachal: many thanks for your comments.
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