Speaking with PakPassion.net former Pakistan captain Mushtaq Mohammad feels that it is high time that Pakistani cricketers from the modern generation cleaned up their act. Mushtaq whilst criticising Kaneria for his actions feels though that the life ban is harsh and also praised the Pakistan Cricket Board for their efforts in educating young cricketers in Pakistan about the perils of fixing.

 by Saj Sadiq (24th June 2012)

Danish Kaneria’s international record will forever read as 261 wickets in 61 Tests and 15 wickets in 18 one-day internationals. When on song Kaneria was capable of match turning spells, however they were generally few and far between for Pakistan. His tendency to relieve the pressure on the opposition with a loose delivery or two each over was a weakness that he never really overcame. However, like some of his recent compatriots he will now be remembered for matters off the field than on the field.

The Pakistan legspinner has been banned for life from any cricket under the jurisdiction of the ECB after being found guilty of corruption by a disciplinary panel in relation to the spot-fixing case involving Mervyn Westfield. The ICC's anti-corruption code states that decisions based on a domestic board's regulations should be upheld by boards around the world, including the Pakistan Cricket Board, which will now complete its own integrity committee hearing.

Kaneria’s future looks bleak but since the panel’s decision he has been bullish stating that he will contest the life ban and speaking to Sky Sports News stated that “It is a very, very unfair decision against me. I've come all the way from Pakistan to say the truth.” The 30 year old also said “They don't have any proof against me. I don't know why they are saying this. I will definitely be doing an appeal. The people trust me. I'm an honest man. I've been playing cricket with passion and love. I have done nothing wrong."

The banning of Kaneria marks yet another embarrassing chapter for Pakistan cricket after Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were handed out prison sentences and banned from cricket for a minimum of 5 years each. 

Speaking with PakPassion.net former Pakistan captain Mushtaq Mohammad feels that it is high time that Pakistani cricketers from the modern generation cleaned up their act. Mushtaq whilst criticising Kaneria for his actions feels though that the life ban is harsh and also praised the Pakistan Cricket Board for their efforts in educating young cricketers in Pakistan about the perils of fixing.

“The Kaneria episode is another sad and embarrassing chapter for Pakistan cricket. It seems to be one thing after another for Pakistan cricket which has been heavily dented by these players found guilty in the past year or so. In my opinion these players have no morals and they use their cricketing ability for the wrong reasons. I’m glad they have been caught and punished and it’s high time that Pakistani cricketers got their house in order and cleaned up their act. They are dragging down the name of Pakistan and devaluing the green cap of Pakistan that has been proudly worn by many before them” stated Mushtaq.

Mushtaq in an attempt to work out why some Pakistani cricketers have been targeted by bookies and fixers added “The majority of cricketers in Pakistan come from poor backgrounds and when they come into the cricketing limelight and see all of this money floating around and the riches that are on offer then sadly temptation gets the better of them. When they are approached by the bookmakers, those cricketers with weak morals are then bought and tempted by the possibility of making easy money. The issue is that they are reluctant to get involved at first and fear the consequences of being caught. But when they succeed the first time, get away with it and receive their payments from the bookmakers, then corruption eats away at them and the greed grows and there is no going back. Once one player sees how easy it is to make such money then others also get tempted and it spreads like a disease.”

Mushtaq who played 57 Tests for Pakistan however feels that the life ban imposed on Kaneria by the ECB disciplinary panel is harsh and excessive and that a 5 year ban should have been the maximum imposed upon Kaneria.

“Cricket was Danish’s profession and whilst he has erred, I don’t think the disciplinary panel should have given him a ban for life. I think a ban of 5 years like that imposed upon Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif would have been the right punishment. I think Danish is well within his rights to challenge the life ban through whatever means are available to him as I think a life ban is an over the top punishment.”

Mushtaq also feels that the Pakistan Cricket Board are heading in the right direction regarding the improvements they are making on their education programs for young cricketers regarding corruption, however there is still a lot of work to be done to fully resolve the issue.

“I’m pleased with the efforts of the PCB and their education programs, they are heading in the right direction. Examples have to be made of those players that have been caught and lessons need to be learnt by the Board and both the current Pakistani international cricketers and those who will represent the nation in years to come. The message has to be stronger, the message has to get through and that is a concern, is the message getting through to all of the boys or is it a situation where people are just going through the motions to show the world that these programs are now in place?”