ICC right in banning Pakistani players: Haider

KARACHI - Zulqarnain Haider, Pakistan’s runaway wicketkeeper, insists that the punishment handed to three of his former mates for ’spot fixing’ is just the start of cricket’s clean up.

Haider, who is seeking asylum in Britain after claiming that match-fixers were after his life, believes corruption is still prevalent in international cricket.

Earlier this month, the International Cricket Council (ICC) banned three Pakistani players - Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer - after they were found guilty of spot fixing.

“The three (Asif, Amir and Butt) are just the tip of the iceberg. There are bigger names still involved in fixing, not only from Pakistan but from other nations as well,” Haider told Pakpassion.net

“The big names are getting away as thorough investigations are not being carried out. Players are going to be even more careful now and I know they are watching their backs and attempting to make it even more difficult for the ICC to catch them. I am ready to name and shame them, if asked by the relevant authorities,” he said.

Haider, awaiting clarification from British immigration officials about his asylum application, feels vindicated after the outcome of the Doha hearing.

“I had a promising career ahead of me and I sacrificed it all but I don’t have any regrets. My mission now is to clean up the game. I am prepared to do anything to help in cleaning up cricket.

“However, this is just the start. The net has to be widened, and it has to be widened across other countries in addition to Pakistan.”

Haider, who scored an impressive 88 in his only Test for Pakistan last year, feels the ICC should have a new system in place to address the issue of overseeing cricketer’s finances.