"Bringing back Salman Butt will set a bad example" : Shahid Afridi

[Abdullah719]

Shahid Afridi hasurged cricket authorities in his country to hand out exemplary punishments to all the cricketers involved in the Pakistan Super League spot-fixing scandal, stressing that the country’s name should not be tarnished.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are on the verge of starting legal proceedings against Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif, the Islamabad United openers, after both were provisionally suspended following a breach of the anti-corruption code.

Afridi, a whistleblower in the 2010 spot-fixing case in England, which led to five-year bans for Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, said examples should be made of the latest offenders. “We need to make the players examples if we want to eradicate corruption,” Afridi told Wisden India on Wednesday (February 15). “Had we taken stringent measures in 2010 and made the players symbols for others, this case would not have happened.

“This is not only a loss of two players but also an attempt to stigmatise the PSL, which is a successful product of Pakistan.”

Afridi was Pakistan’s Test captain on the tour of England back in 2010 but shocked everyone by suddenly announcing his retirement from Test cricket after team’s defeat against Australia at Lord’s.

Butt took over from him and led Pakistan to a series draw against Australia. At the end of that series at neutral venues, Butt was put in charge for the four-Test series against England, which was when the spot-fixing scandal erupted.

Since completing their bans, Amir was drafted in to the Pakistan team in January last year while Butt and Asif are in line for selection for the West Indies tour next month.

Afridi, however, warned against selecting the tainted players. “All those people who want to bring Butt back should think and use wisdom. This should not happen as it will set a bad example,” he said.

http://www.wisdenindia.com/cricket-news/make-examples-of-guilty-players-says-afridi/241591

 

[Rayyman]

Yes, Sharjeel will be hyped if Butt comes back. Only to return and fix again.

 

[PakLFC]

Okay saint Afridi. It was also a bad idea to bring back Amir as well.

 

[adil_909]

Why does everyone keep pretending Aamir and Butt's situation was the same? Aamir was a dumb teenager and Butt was the captain of the team. Aamir admitted mistake right away whereas Butt pleaded innocence and lied to courts and the country for years. Situation is totally different. Butt should NEVER be allowed to play international cricket for Pakistan.

 

[Donal Cozzie]

Its actually pretty incredible that the guy who masterminded the entire 2010 fiasco is even in contention again.

Unbelievable really.

 

[Rayyman]

Its actually pretty incredible that the guy who masterminded the entire 2010 fiasco is even in contention again.

Unbelievable really.

Bro he apologized.

 

[Sub-Zero]

don't want him back tbh, we should rather invest in Imam, Sami and Fakhar for the leftie opener spot, rightie opener would be Shehzad and Kamran, if they don't perform then Shahzaib and Khurram should be tried

 

[The_KING]

If Afridi hadn't chickened out and resigned from Test captaincy, this whole spot fixing fiasco of 2010 would have never happened.

 

[Rayyman]

don't want him back tbh, we should rather invest in Imam, Sami and Fakhar for the leftie opener spot, rightie opener would be Shehzad and Kamran, if they don't perform then Shahzaib and Khurram should be tried

Agreed on everything besides Kamran and Khurram.

 

[Statsman]

Why does everyone keep pretending Aamir and Butt's situation was the same? Aamir was a dumb teenager and Butt was the captain of the team. Aamir admitted mistake right away whereas Butt pleaded innocence and lied to courts and the country for years. Situation is totally different. Butt should NEVER be allowed to play international cricket for Pakistan.

And another one with "Aamir admitted his mistake right away"

 

[Sub-Zero]

Agreed on everything besides Kamran and Khurram.

I only named them because of their recent domestic performances, Khurram never really got a proper chance in the ODIs, last played in 2009, he got a list A average of almost 50, he can play aggressively as well, in the last Pakistan CUp he had scores like 100 off 70 and 123 off 90, he did well in the last ODI cup as well.
If someone is performing in the domestic it would be unfair to not consider them even for a back up spot.

 

[Speedster777]

Yeah and your ball tampering, pitch tampering, and public lies , faking your age set a great example right? Why did he play with Amir if he's against fixing? Shoaib Akhtar has already exposed Afridi's involvement in fixing in the past so he should stop using this fake honesty card to get publicity. Everyone knows Afridi has personal grudge against Butt who was a far better batsman and captain than TTF Afrifdi.

 

[o_ahsan99]

The spot/match fixers need to be dealt with strictly. They need to be punished to the maximum as allowed by the law. If the laws state life ban, then they should be banned for life. However, once the player has completed the punishment, he should be allowed to resume his career (assuming that the punishment is not a life ban). All criminals after serving their punishment are allowed to be reintegrated to the society. So the same applies to cricketers. Once the punishment is over, if the player is still fit, performs at the domestic level and warrants a place in the side, then he should be picked. Again, before integration, he should be handed the maximum and strictest punishment as allowed by the law.

 

[Ummii]

due to Sharjeel Khalid's case PCB will not even think about Salman and Asif anymore even if Inzi or Mickey wants them PCB wont do.
our current openers are about to face spot fixing charges and PCB will find their replacement with ( Butt ) ?
if they do then i guess PCB will be most stupid Cricket Board ever in the history
Amir is kinda lucky that he is back before this scandal now they ( PCB ) have to set an example not only for Pakistani players but also they have to prove whole cricket world that PCB is really serious about match/spot fixing things and i think life time ban for Sharjeel , Nasir & Khalid wont be enough...

 

[Moiza]

If Afridi hadn't chickened out and resigned from Test captaincy, this whole spot fixing fiasco of 2010 would have never happened.

If Salman/Amir's parents hadn't married each other even then this wouldn't have happened.

I hate Afridi too but bashing him for retiring and subsequently causing the scandal is just dumb.

 

[Sub-Zero]

Yeah and your ball tampering, pitch tampering, and public lies , faking your age set a great example right? Why did he play with Amir if he's against fixing? Shoaib Akhtar has already exposed Afridi's involvement in fixing in the past so he should stop using this fake honesty card to get publicity. Everyone knows Afridi has personal grudge against Butt who was a far better batsman and captain than TTF Afrifdi.

bro give him a break, at least when people will remember Afridi they will remember his sixes, his googlies or his inconsistency and craziness, unlike Butt, who will be remembered for his match fixing and how he destroyed his career along with the careers of the 2 best Pakistani bowlers at the time being the captain of the team.
Afridi is the highest wicket taker in T20 internationals, he was the best player of the first 2 world t20s. he's also the 5th highest wicket taker in ODI history, only behind, Muralitharan, Wasim, Waqar and Vaas. He's hit way more sixes than anyone else in ODIs. He's won dozens of matches for Pakistan as well.

 

[Syed1]

Afridi has been saying and doing the right things ever since he 'retired'

 

[Rayyman]

bro give him a break, at least when people will remember Afridi they will remember his sixes, his googlies or his inconsistency and craziness, unlike Butt, who will be remembered for his match fixing and how he destroyed his career along with the careers of the 2 best Pakistani bowlers at the time being the captain of the team.
Afridi is the highest wicket taker in T20 internationals, he was the best player of the first 2 world t20s. he's also the 5th highest wicket taker in ODI history, only behind, Muralitharan, Wasim, Waqar and Vaas. He's hit way more sixes than anyone else in ODIs. He's won dozens of matches for Pakistan as well.

Underrated.

ATG in ODIs.

 

[Speedster777]

bro give him a break, at least when people will remember Afridi they will

bro, for Afidi to be remembered he will have to retire first when is that going to be? Afridi will be remembered as the king of ducks, the captain who led his team to defeat in 2011 WC Semi final and the man who chickened out and left his team in the middle during the darkest phase in our cricket history(spot fixing). For me Afridi of 90's and early 2000's was a cricketer with great potential and so much talent but instead of progressing he regressed. He should have retired after 2011 WC. He has ruined whatever legacy he had.

 

[Speedster777]

due to Sharjeel Khalid's case PCB will not even think about Salman and Asif anymore even if Inzi or Mickey wants them PCB wont do....

Why should Butt pay the price of Sharjeel's mistakes? Doesn't make sense. if he has been cleared to play by ICC and he deserves selection on merit he should be selected.

 

[hitthestump]

don't want him back tbh, we should rather invest in Imam, Sami and Fakhar for the leftie opener spot, rightie opener would be Shehzad and Kamran, if they don't perform then Shahzaib and Khurram should be tried

Tried? You've named 4 literal TTF's.

 

[Sub-Zero]

Tried? You've named 4 literal TTF's.

Butt have literally failed in the last 2 domestic One day cups, he does not even deserve to be selected on merit
don't talk if you don't know the facts

 

[joly]

One bad example is already there in Amir, Butt should be brought back, too late for this ethical drama

 

[Sub-Zero]

One bad example is already there in Amir, Butt should be brought back, too late for this ethical drama

I have a feeling Amir will go down Umar Akmal's path, as his overall record is so mediocre in all formats since his comeback, he has'nt even won a match for Pakistan, no 5fer either. Test average 41.60, ODI average 31, eco 5.45, and T20 bowling average 32, eco 7. And before anyone can bring up the dropped catches issue, every bowler faced this, Wasim, Waqar, Shoaib Akhtar everyone, just gotta learn to bowl good enough consistently.
I really hope he comes back strongly in the coming series

 

[TahirFan]

Salman Butt shook the hand of the greatest President of the world. Not only should he be pardoned but a statue of him erected and a stadium need needs to named under him

 

[Sub-Zero]

Salman Butt shook the hand of the greatest President of the world. Not only should he be pardoned but a statue of him erected and a stadium need needs to named under him

it's not India, they don't try and save a match fixer's reputation like Indians did with the movie Azhar

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

A thread where mediocrity is being defended on each and every front

For Butt, even though he's LEGALLY ENTITLED, I guess he'll will never play for Pakistan again albiet an absolute brain freeze from Inzi, Micky and the PCB - Numerous factors are there:

1) He is mediocre as a batsman
2) He is Old
3) Comes with a lot of baggage

Simply put we have better options while I'd go on as far as to say that I'd even take Kami as a replacement if he's in contention with Butt - thats how far I am willing to go

As for Afridi, even though he himself was the epitome of mediocrity all throughout his career - YES HE WAS MEDIOCRE IN GENERAL !!, At least whatever shenanigans the bloke did was to actually done with the intention to help Pakistan win and not the other way around.

As far as Afridi, the player is concerned, I'll quote [MENTION=1080]miandadrules[/MENTION] here:

'Afridi wasn't/isn't a cricketer who catered to numerous ad campaigns, he was basically a PR product himself who, on occasions, pretended to play cricket'

Make of what you may from my post but my stance on both these individuals are absolutely clear.

 

[Zohaib Shah]

Why does everyone keep pretending Aamir and Butt's situation was the same? Aamir was a dumb teenager and Butt was the captain of the team. Aamir admitted mistake right away whereas Butt pleaded innocence and lied to courts and the country for years. Situation is totally different. Butt should NEVER be allowed to play international cricket for Pakistan.

So when you are a teenager your dumb. When you are a grown adult you are to be shamed.

 

[mango_bite77]

If Afridi hadn't chickened out and resigned from Test captaincy, this whole spot fixing fiasco of 2010 would have never happened.

Never happened or never revealed ?

 

[Ummii]

Why should Butt pay the price of Sharjeel's mistakes? Doesn't make sense. if he has been cleared to play by ICC and he deserves selection on merit he should be selected.

If you look on merit base selection then yes he is in the list but sometimes you have to do some decisions which is not what you really want....but you have to do those things to prove the world that you are serious about it...and i also think its not a good idea atm

Replace PRESENT FIXER spot with FORMER FIXER

 

[Abdullah]

If Afridi hadn't chickened out and resigned from Test captaincy, this whole spot fixing fiasco of 2010 would have never happened.

or would have stayed unearthed you mean

 

[srh]

Bringing back Amir has already set the bad example

 

[waleed88]

Its actually pretty incredible that the guy who masterminded the entire 2010 fiasco is even in contention again.

Unbelievable really.

Any capable lawyer will have defence of entrapment, even Atherton pointed that out..

Mazhar Majeed is known as the fake sheikh, and plenty of other evidences in his case have been termed bogus, null and void in UK court..

Lets not get into the details, but they were given out 5 year bans by no one else but the authorities.. if authorities deemed them good enough to play, then they should play

 

[sam_ahm]

I'm absolutely sure that this fixing would have happened even if the trio were banned for life.

This incident shouldn't have any impact on the lives of Salman Butt, Mohammed Aamer or Mohammed Asif, they have nothing to do with this, they are just playing clean cricket after serving their time, why is their name being dragged into this unnecessarily?

 

[Saj]

Didn't Shahid Afridi campaign for Mohammad Amir to be allowed back and be forgiven?

 

[Boi]

Good to see Afridi being vocal about this. Was tired and disappointed of the support Butt was gathering especially from the likes of Waqar Younis

 

[godzilla]

despite the fact that its afraid saying this, he is absolutely correct.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

lala has neither forgotten nor forgiven butt for the public spat and comments that followed the scandal and a little more. butt did not do himself any favors when he became the pundit and criticized lala.

 

[ExpressPacer]

bro, for Afidi to be remembered he will have to retire first when is that going to be? Afridi will be remembered as the king of ducks, the captain who led his team to defeat in 2011 WC Semi final and the man who chickened out and left his team in the middle during the darkest phase in our cricket history(spot fixing). For me Afridi of 90's and early 2000's was a cricketer with great potential and so much talent but instead of progressing he regressed. He should have retired after 2011 WC. He has ruined whatever legacy he had.

COME ON. What stupid logic you present. Blind hatred. LOOL at "captain who led his team to defeat in the semi final". At least he wasn't the captain who lost Ireland in the WC. BLOODY IRELAND. Semi Final is an amazing achievement. Also, he was the highest wicket-taker that tournament. Afridi is massively underrated on PP. Easily an ODI ATG.

 

[JibranAnsari]

It will be ironic if butt replaces sharjeel.

 

[Pollack]

How is it any different from Amir as an example.

 

[Ankit007]

Okay saint Afridi. It was also a bad idea to bring back Amir as well.

What mistake has been done shouldn't be repeated again I guess

 

[Sub-Zero]

What mistake has been done shouldn't be repeated again I guess

ye baat!

 

[Rayyman]

Didn't Shahid Afridi campaign for Mohammad Amir to be allowed back and be forgiven?

He knew Amir would help his chances of doing well in WT20. How he brought in Sami is a totally different story; But now that Afridi has been dropped, he couldn't care less about how the team does.

You never know with Lala he is very mercurial in his opinions.