adminLONDON. – Pakistan’s banned cricketers, Salim Malik and Muhammad Aamir have backed moves by New Zealand’s government to enforce prison sentences for players found guilty of spot or match-fixing.
Malik, who is serving a life ban for match fixing and Aamir who is in the fourth year of a five-year ban for spot fixing, said prison terms would help curb the menace of corruption.
“I think it is a good move by New Zealand’s government and other cricket playing nations should also follow it,” Malik, who has pleaded innocence since being banned in 2000, said.
“I know how much I have suffered because of this match fixing stigma. I think it is time similar law was also enacted in Pakistan so that cricket players can be clean of such allegations once and for all,” Malik said.
Aamir (22) was banned for spot fixing in 2010 and believes the threat of going to prison would deter players from being tempted to get involved with match fixing.
“It is a reality that some people try to lure players down the wrong path,” he said on the Geo Super channel. “I have experienced it.
“I think such laws will definitely make players think twice about what they are doing. What I did was wrong and it has been hard going without cricket for all these years.
“But I think more anti-corruption steps are required to clean up the sport,” he said. — Reuters
Online Reporter