Haider was surprised that Lorgat could be so confident that the World Cup could be "clean" given what Haider believes is still prevalent in international cricket. Speaking to PakPassion.net, Haider openly discussed how he felt satisfaction at the outcome of the Doha Hearing and how he feels that the Doha outcome is just the start of cricket's clean up.

 

11 February 2011

 

When the ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat recently stated that he was confident that the forthcoming World Cup will be free from corruption, it would have raised a wry smile from former Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider. 

Haider was surprised that Lorgat could be so confident that the World Cup could be "clean" given what Haider believes is still prevalent in international cricket. Speaking to PakPassion.net, Haider openly discussed how he felt satisfaction at the outcome of the Doha Hearing and how he feels that the Doha outcome is just the start of cricket's clean up.

"Yes I was surprised by the statement by the ICC Chief Executive saying that the World Cup will be clean. The fact of the matter is that the three recently banned players (Asif, Amir and Butt) are just the tip of the iceberg. There are bigger names than the three banned players who are still involved in fixing in cricket, not only from Pakistan but from other nations as well. There are some very big names involved in these illegal activities, but they are getting away with it as thorough investigations are not being carried out. Players are going to be even more careful now and I know they are watching their backs and attempting to make it even more difficult for the ACSU and ICC to catch them out. I am ready to name and shame them, if asked by the relevant authorities."

Haider who is awaiting clarification from UK immigration officials about his asylum application additionally feels vindicated in his stance after the outcome of the Doha hearing.

"I gave up everything in cricket. I had a promising career ahead of me and I sacrificed it all, but I don't have any regrets and my mission now is to clean up the game. I am prepared to do anything to help in totally cleaning up cricket. I was mocked and ridiculed by some after leaving the series in UAE against South Africa, but after the verdicts in Doha, I feel vindicated. However, this is just the start. The net has to be widened and it has to be widened across other countries in addition to Pakistan."

Haider who scored an impressive 88 in his only test for Pakistan last year feels that a new organisation needs to be created by the ICC, specifically to address the issue of overseeing cricketer's finances.

"The three players who were recently banned for spot fixing were only caught because of a tip-off. It wasn't down to the ACSU initiating investigations or producing any evidence through their team of investigators. It was simply down to an individual tipping off the News of the World who then passed their files to the ICC. The ACSU were reactive rather than proactive and have limited powers and is a weak organisation. 

What needs to happen very soon is for an organisation to be set up by the ICC for the specific purpose of looking into the bank accounts and financial dealings of all international cricketers. This can be an offshoot of the ACSU and should contain individuals who have previously worked in the legal profession or the world of finance. The new organisation needs to work closely with all of the international cricket boards who should offer their utmost cooperation. The player contracts with respective boards should have a clause in the contract stating that all financial transactions have to be transparent and details of all bank accounts irrespective of location, have to be revealed by the cricketer to the Board and investigating authority."

Haider though doesn't just feel that international cricket needs to clean up its act but also tournaments such as the IPL and the ICL.

"I feel that in addition to international cricket "cleaning up its act, tournaments such as the ICL and IPL need to be closely watched. Players who have taken part in those tournaments also should have their bank accounts thoroughly investigated."

Haider doesn't share the same optimism that some have felt after the Doha hearing and added "The Doha hearing was just the beginning, there is a lot more work to be done to clean up cricket but the relevant authorities need to do more before this goal can be achieved."

 

 

 

 

 

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