Cricketers and their bluff... By Rehan
07 September, 2012
Quite a while ago, Pakistani wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider disappeared in mysterious circumstances midway through the one-day series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates after playing a pivotal role in helping Pakistan tie the score line at 2-2. (Pakistan subsequently lost the series 2-3). A few days later, he was found roaming at Heathrow Airport, London. When asked about his disappearance, he told the media he was approached and threatened by representatives of a match-fixing mafia, and that he would soon reveal the names of those involved in this match-fixing menace in Pakistan cricket. Similarly, Salman Butt after serving his subsequently reduced ban for his alleged involvement in the infamous spot-fixing saga made similar claims at a press conference after returning to Pakistan about disclosing the names of those who are 'actually' behind the match-fixing hazard in Pakistan. Since then I, and I am sure many other cricket-loving Pakistanis have been waiting for the so-called 'revelations' and the disclosure of the names, but nothing has come up since then. Instead, it was quite amusing to read a media report a few days back that Zulqarnain Haider has been receiving lectures from a psychologist hired by the PCB and, as reported by the PCB, he has shown a marked improvement in his mental approach. On the other hand, complete silence has been observed from Salman Butt's side. Can I dare ask these gentlemen as to where are the revelations; or should I safely assume that these statements were given just to save themselves from the wrath of the public and whatever remained of their reputations, and there is no such thing as revelations as claimed by them? REHAN SOHAIL
Karachi
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