The infamous pair of Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif is anxious to prove them self after the end of their five-year ban on Wednesday. The pair, along with Mohammad Amir, who saw his ban come to an end in January, are looking to get into the action during the upcoming Pakistani domestic Twenty20 tournament.
All three were found guilty of spot-fixing during a Test match at the Lord’s in England and spent some time in British jails for their roles in the betting scandal which rocked the cricket world in 2010. The International Cricket Council gave Butt a 10-year ban (five years suspended) and Asif a seven-year ban (two years suspended).
Pace bowler Asif has repeatedly found himself in trouble with authorities. In 2006, he was suspended for one year after testing positive for a banned steroid and in 2008 he was apprehended in Dubai for possessing opium before being released. There was also the notorious locker room fight with teammate Shoaib Akhter in 2007.
[junkie-alert style=”white”] The road back will not be an easy one. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a number of restrictions and will be monitoring both players very closely. [/junkie-alert]
During a practice session in Lahore, at the Model Town Ground, Asif acknowledged that the PCB had given him goals, which include “improving fitness, attending sessions with a psychiatrist and delivering lectures to young cricketers for awareness against misdeeds as a national player”.
“I will have to achieve the target in two months and only after that will I be allowed to play freely,” said Asif. “People should accept the fact that we have completed our punishment, relieved by the same body that banned us. So you can’t give more punishment for one crime. I committed a mistake, for which I have asked for forgiveness from the Almighty and have also said sorry to the nation,”
Batsman Butt, captain of the Pakistani squad in 2010, was also excited to be back stating “I just want to play cricket, which runs through my blood. I know there will be difficulties in our comeback trail but I am ready to face that. I am ready to apologize again and I am ready to try to convince everyone I will not repeat what I did in the past.” He is facing similar conditions to Asif from the PCB.
[junkie-alert style=”white”] There will be other factors in play as well, with age being at the forefront. 32-year old Asif is already older then the generally accepted peak years of a bowler and Butt, at 30 years old, is also looking up at the wrong side of 30, although as a batsman he may have an easier time finding his form. [/junkie-alert]
Then there is also the resentment that the players may face from fans, current Pakistani team players and by members of the PCB. “Their return will be the biggest injustice to players who play clean cricket,” former cricket captain Rashid Latif said. “There should not be any space for criminals in international cricket.”
Both players felt that they had served the punishment for their crime and were hopeful that people will give them a chance to prove themselves on the field.
Butt has already landed a job, pending approval from the PCB, with the Lahore Blues and Asif is expecting to sign with another team in the region. The players have set their sights on Pakistan’s national team, but for now their slow and long road back begins with these local clubs.
By Atif Godil. The writer is Chartered Accountant and has a keen interest in Pakistani affairs.