And so the verdict finally comes out.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/current/story/499614.html
The bans are crucially important to Pakistani and world cricket. They are a symbol of the state of corruption in Pakistan, and the level of tolerance from the ICC. But here is the kicker, the bans are only as good as long as they are actually enforced.
In Pakistan, ban's seem to disappear like magic and disgusting on-field acts result in a slap on the wrists.
If this trio end up back on the field before their allotted time, the symbols are crushed. It basically tells us that Pakistan does not take cricketing corruption seriously, and neither does the ICC.
This is what worries me, from the article we see the following:
"...which means that the trio cannot play any official, sanctioned cricket, international or domestic, for a minimum of five years...". Hold on, a minimum of five years?. What happened to the original numbers?
"The suspended sentences on Butt and Asif have been made conditional on their making no further breaches of the code and participating in an anti-corruption education programme...". So let me get this straight, as long as they make no further breaches, during five years of not playing the game at all, and turning up to a few night classes reminding them that "corruption is bad, naughty boys", their bans will be reduced to that minimum of five?
"It must also be noted that not until the full judgement is released will the picture become fully clear..." In other words, what you just read could be utter tripe.
"Amir will appeal against the decision..." What on earth can the man possibly appeal on? He has no excuse, no refuting evidence, and the lightest of the three bans. He's lucky he even has a cricketing future.
"Now, in theory, the 26-year-old Butt could return after five years...". I give up.
In terms of dealing with corruption, this is the big one, the pinnacle. The evidence indisputable, and the the excuses nil. If this situation gets molly coddled like the rest, then cricket is in serious trouble.
Reading between the lines in the article above, I think we know where this is heading.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/current/story/499614.html
- Salman Butt - 10 years
- Mohammad Asif - 7 years
This includes all cricket, domestic or international. If all the bans were carried out in their entirety, it means that Butt and Asif will probably never return to international cricket (they will be 36 and 35 years old respectively). Only Amir, who will be 23 will be back.
- Mohammad Amir - 5 years
The bans are crucially important to Pakistani and world cricket. They are a symbol of the state of corruption in Pakistan, and the level of tolerance from the ICC. But here is the kicker, the bans are only as good as long as they are actually enforced.
In Pakistan, ban's seem to disappear like magic and disgusting on-field acts result in a slap on the wrists.
 |
| Taking the slang 'cherry' a bit too far. |
If this trio end up back on the field before their allotted time, the symbols are crushed. It basically tells us that Pakistan does not take cricketing corruption seriously, and neither does the ICC.
This is what worries me, from the article we see the following:
"...which means that the trio cannot play any official, sanctioned cricket, international or domestic, for a minimum of five years...". Hold on, a minimum of five years?. What happened to the original numbers?
"The suspended sentences on Butt and Asif have been made conditional on their making no further breaches of the code and participating in an anti-corruption education programme...". So let me get this straight, as long as they make no further breaches, during five years of not playing the game at all, and turning up to a few night classes reminding them that "corruption is bad, naughty boys", their bans will be reduced to that minimum of five?
"It must also be noted that not until the full judgement is released will the picture become fully clear..." In other words, what you just read could be utter tripe.
"Amir will appeal against the decision..." What on earth can the man possibly appeal on? He has no excuse, no refuting evidence, and the lightest of the three bans. He's lucky he even has a cricketing future.
"Now, in theory, the 26-year-old Butt could return after five years...". I give up.
In terms of dealing with corruption, this is the big one, the pinnacle. The evidence indisputable, and the the excuses nil. If this situation gets molly coddled like the rest, then cricket is in serious trouble.
Reading between the lines in the article above, I think we know where this is heading.
