“Complete elimination is not possible”
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has made it clear that it is impossible to completely rid cricket of corruption.
Last September, Butt finished serving a five-year ban after he was found guilty of spot-fixing in England in 2010.
Having had first-hand experience when it comes to corruption in cricket, Butt lauded the International Cricket Council (ICC) and cricket boards around the world for implementing tighter measures to minimize the chances of corruption taking place.
“I have been there and I have seen it. Complete elimination is not possible because it requires just one moment of weakness and one wrong decision to destroy yourself with corruption,” Butt told PTI. “But it is a fact that after the spot fixing scandal involving us in 2010 a lot of deterrents have been put into place to educate the players about anti-corruption measures. I myself have given lectures to teams on this issue from first hand experience. It has made a difference.”
Butt acknowledged that he damaged his and Pakistan’s reputation as a result of the spot-fixing scandal that rocked the cricketing world to its core. While Butt has apologised numerous times for his actions, he admitted that some people will still not forgive him for what he did.
“Honestly speaking I have been through a lot and I realize how badly I damaged the image of Pakistan cricket and myself,” he said. “But I can only apologize and ask for forgiveness from all those people who were hurt by my actions.
“But it is over now and I have served my time. I am 32 and my only aim is to get back to international cricket. My job is to perform and the selectors and board have to decide about my future. But I am banking on getting back soon.”
The 32-year-old added that he will have a problem getting a visa for the United Kingdom in the future as the spot-fixing scandal took place during a Test series in England in 2010.
“I have been to the UAE, Switzerland, Afghanistan, China after my ban expired,” he said. “And I have consulted immigration laws lawyers and they say I can be allowed to enter the UK if the Pakistan Cricket Board adopts the same channels they did for Amir. As it is nothing is hidden from anyone including the UK authorities.”
Meanwhile, Butt also urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to resume ties as the two nations haven’t faced each other in a Test series since 2007.
“It is sad because there is so we can learn from each other,” Butt said. “But unfortunately one can do nothing about the politics. My personal experiences after playing in the first edition of the IPL and on India tours is very good.
“I don’t know perhaps India wants to isolate Pakistan in the cricket fraternity by not playing us but I don’t think that will ever happen as Pakistan will always be a top cricket nation.”