Has Pakistan cricket taken a step in the right direction?

Life bans to two senior players, one year to another and probation notices to three more are part of a major upheaval by the cricket board.

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It took a long time coming but the major upheaval in Pakistan cricket was due. Some might think banning players may have been a bit harsh but the followers of Pakistan cricket, including seasoned journalists that have been spoken to, will tell you that shock treatment was needed.

The rot had to be stemmed and by cutting at the base of the team with senior players' wings clipped, no one can predict when Pakistan cricket will bloom again. But there are more chances that if and when the tree grows back it will have a fresh and better outlook.

Having said and done with the troublemakers in the Pakistan team, it is also equally important that the board members and support staff are also made accountable. But that does not mean that this view is joining solidarity with the opinions expressed by many. In the end it was performances on the field that matter and the players have themselves to blame.

In the past, chopping and changing one captain or one coach was the usual recourse for corrective action.

What one would like to know is if the Pakistan Cricket Board has attempted to address two issues with one ball. Remember, the cloud of doubt is still not over the claim that two members, but "not from the current squad", are involved in match-fixing.

Soon after the two Twenty20 international against England in Dubai last month, a forlorn-looking chairman Ijaz Butt had made those comments but backtracked saying he meant 10 years ago when Salim Malik and Ata-ur-Rehman were found guilty and banned for life.

Incidentally this is the biggest decision and show of determination from PCB since then. So is there more than what meets the eye of a simple case of crackdown on undisciplined players, especially when Pakistan also needs all the talent of Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan to win matches on neutral grounds around the world?

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