The divide in Pakistan cricket over whether the tainted trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir should be allowed back into national cricket has become greater, with the former skipper expressing concern it could eventually lead to their isolation.
It is a disturbing situation the way I see it. It is like we could be isolated. We just want to be allowed to play proper cricket. How else can we show anyone that we have changed and have learnt from our mistakes?
— Salman Butt
His remarks don’t come as a surprise as Pakistan’s former captain and the ambassador for the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Ramiz Raja, has stepped up his campaign to keep the three away from cricket.
Ramiz told Dawn News that allowing the trio to be part of the PSL would be extremely dangerous for the reputation of the league.
But there is some hope for the trio as Pakistan’s enigmatic fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who has indicated that he is keen to buy a franchise in the PSL and be part of its management and has said he would like to see Mohammad Amir play for his team.
I am planning to buy a team in the PSL and would like to have Amir in my team so that I can guide him and make him an effective bowler and a better person. I think they have suffered enough for their crime and they now deserve a second chance. I don’t see any reason for holding them back.
— Shoaib Akhtar
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