Coupled with this enigma is a series of allegations of match fixing, bribes and kickbacks, which has literally turned the gentleman’s game in to a poker of sorts. Though such allegations and malpractices are common in many of the teams, Pakistan it seems has made its mark owing to lack of disciplinary control .Last but not the least, it is a general observation that politics has made inroads right from the players’ dressing room to the centre of the field, inevitably drawing disgrace to the game, performance and the country’s good name.
The no-show affair of Pakistan’s wicketkeeper in the last one-day international against South Africa in Dubai and his subsequent decamping to London is a point in case. Notwithstanding whatever genuine grievances Zulqarnain Haider might have to cite, his act of running away in the dark by simply dumping his team is highly unethical. This is no sportsmen spirit. He should have been around for the last ODI and then bowed out in grace. The pretension that he had to take this uncalled for journey to Britain in order to escape threats to his person and family are quite far-fetched. Similarly, the claim on his part that he was under pressure to throw the fourth one-day, which Pakistan won by virtue of his defining knock, also needs to be investigated. Yet, it goes without saying as to how come the team manager, and the host of undesired associates all around, were unable to stop him from fleeing, and why was he handed over his passport when the tournament was far from over.
A thorough inquiry into the Dubai debacle would be the first step to reform Pakistan Cricket. The terror-scared poor South Asian country is unlawfully being robbed of its right entertainment and glory at the hands of a bizarre team management and arrogant self-centered players. The cricket crazy nation definitely deserves a better deal. This tale of deception and decamping has to come to an end.
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