Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas has acknowledged Imran Khan's comments that Pakistan was free of corruption during the inspirational all-rounder's multiple stints as captain between 1982 and 1992
Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas has acknowledged Imran Khan's comments that Pakistan was free of corruption during the inspirational all-rounder's multiple stints as captain between 1982 and 1992. Imran told reporters on Monday that the menace of match fixing gained momentum only after his retirement. "After 1992, things became really bad. Imran is absolutely right," Zaheer told MiD DAY yesterday.
Though Zaheer and Imran did not see eye to eye on some issues during their playing days, the bespectacled batting great gave the charismatic credit.
"There were lots of bookies in Sharjah in the 1980s, but we were a determined outfit and wanted to represent the country with honour. Imranbhai motivated us beyond words," he said.
Zaheer said that misguidance and lack of intent got the better of players.
"The ones who tried to catch on to such things could do it easily. This is because there were people who showed leniency towards such activities. The root problem is that they were not punished severely at the time. If they were, we wouldn't have seen such days today. It is too late now," Abbas felt.
Pakistan cricket has been hit by crisis after crisis since the Oval fiasco of 2006. There have been doping scandals, a detention case, hasty sacking of players, set-up changes, allegations of embezzlements, refusals by players to lead the team, tour cancellation over security fears, defections to ICL, bans, legal battles, a terrorist attack on a visiting team, to name a few!
Pak players head for the dressing room after their T20 defeat to
England on September 5. PIC/Getty Images Zaheer reckoned problems arise because players don't take pride in playing for the country.
"It is gone into their blood now. You have to treat them harshly now. There's no other way to change things," he said.
He said that it would be a real pity if Pakistan Cricket Board officials were aware of the charges on the players prior to the scandal becoming public.
"If they are really involved, as rumours suggest, it would be the biggest revelation ever. People would stop tuning in to watch cricket," he rued. Abbas also criticised the PCB for lifting bans on players following the tour of Australia. "Afridi's words should have been taken seriously. He briefed the Board on what was happening.
They (PCB) forgot everything so quickly, and are paying the price now. Don't know what is left now," he said.
