I am writing this post just after Messers. Salman Butt, Mohd. Amir and Mohd. Asif have been found guilty of charges of spot fixing which was levelled against them. It is such a sad thing that cricketers have failed to learn from one man who brought the game into disrepute a few years ago. But that man had the guts to accept his guilt. That man was Hansie Cronje.
I had great respect for Hansie Cronje, and I still do respect him, just for the one reason that he stood up and accepted his crime. Salman Butt and Mohammed Asif had the guts, not to accept their crime, but to stand up and say that they did not do it. Not only that, they even traded shit about each other.
Everyone would remember Salman Butt's classic century against India in Kolkata a few years back. An innings that I can still watch just for those classy square drives which he played and the fantastic footwork that he displayed against the spinners, to steer Pakistan to victory and end undefeated.
It's such a pity that such talent goes wasted in their lust for money. I have always enjoyed watching good cricket, no matter who plays it. I would even confess that I am a fan of Wasim Akram and I have enjoyed watching Saeed Anwar bat (Yes. I did hate his monstrous 194 against India), and No that does not make me a fan of Pakistan cricket. It's just a few of their cricketers that I like.
During their prison terms, no doubt all three of them would, at some point of time, regret what they have done. However, regretting that is no punishment for bringing the game into disrepute. Hansie Cronje did not go to prison, I don't know why, but he was banned for life. One thing about Cronje was that he had the guts, I say again, the guts to accept to what he did - That itself showed that Cronje was remorseful of his crime. Something that these young cricketers failed to do. They chose to defend themselves of a crime, which they took part in and were blatantly guilty of.
Why is it that the lust for money made so many talented cricketers into such cheap low lives who would sell their career, the great game and even their countries? It is so sad to see such talents go waste...
The game can no longer take hits like this... All those who love cricket as much as I do, would love to see the game live beyond generations and I hope those professionals (who play the game and read this article) would care to make the game a cleaner one.
I had great respect for Hansie Cronje, and I still do respect him, just for the one reason that he stood up and accepted his crime. Salman Butt and Mohammed Asif had the guts, not to accept their crime, but to stand up and say that they did not do it. Not only that, they even traded shit about each other.
Everyone would remember Salman Butt's classic century against India in Kolkata a few years back. An innings that I can still watch just for those classy square drives which he played and the fantastic footwork that he displayed against the spinners, to steer Pakistan to victory and end undefeated.
It's such a pity that such talent goes wasted in their lust for money. I have always enjoyed watching good cricket, no matter who plays it. I would even confess that I am a fan of Wasim Akram and I have enjoyed watching Saeed Anwar bat (Yes. I did hate his monstrous 194 against India), and No that does not make me a fan of Pakistan cricket. It's just a few of their cricketers that I like.
During their prison terms, no doubt all three of them would, at some point of time, regret what they have done. However, regretting that is no punishment for bringing the game into disrepute. Hansie Cronje did not go to prison, I don't know why, but he was banned for life. One thing about Cronje was that he had the guts, I say again, the guts to accept to what he did - That itself showed that Cronje was remorseful of his crime. Something that these young cricketers failed to do. They chose to defend themselves of a crime, which they took part in and were blatantly guilty of.
Why is it that the lust for money made so many talented cricketers into such cheap low lives who would sell their career, the great game and even their countries? It is so sad to see such talents go waste...
The game can no longer take hits like this... All those who love cricket as much as I do, would love to see the game live beyond generations and I hope those professionals (who play the game and read this article) would care to make the game a cleaner one.
Very spot on observation, Karthik. One more 'low life' "worthy" of mention and immensely culpable is Mohammed Azharuddin.
ReplyDeleteThe lust for money is truly the mother of all evils, yes?