Untainted young Pakistan can bring World Cup redemption

The spot-fixing verdicts in Doha are yet another setback for Pakistan cricket - but a young and untainted team will be going to the World Cup this month, and much is expected of them.

Salman Butt, Pakistan's ex-captain, is escorted to his car on his arrival in Lahore yesterday. KM Chaudary / AP Photo

The nation may be reeling from the spot-fixing verdicts, but a fresh crop of young and untainted players will go to the World Cup this month, and Haroon Khan is hoping for great things from them
On Saturday morning, Pakistan batsmen began chasing down a mammoth total of 311 for seven against New Zealand in Auckland.
With the fate of the one-day series already decided in Pakistan's favour, and with little riding on the final game, Pakistan were beaten by 57 runs and the real interest of the world media and cricket fans quickly shifted to Doha where the spot-fixing drama was reaching its conclusion.
The process to decide the fate of three Pakistanis, five months after that fateful day at the Lord's ground in England, was coming to a close.
The players, as they have shown throughout the trial, looked upbeat as they entered the Qatar Financial Centre to hear the verdict, though it was difficult to understand what they were feeling inside.
Earlier on Friday, the United Kingdom's Crown Prosecution Services (CPS) had announced that the players and their agent had been summoned on charges of conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments and conspiracy to cheat.
While "conspiracy" holds a lesser punishment, a criminal record for the players would be the worst possible result. Among fans and the media alike, questions had begun to emerge as to whether the proceedings in Doha would have any prejudicial bearing on the trial in England.
On Saturday evening came the verdict. As expected by many, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were banned for 10, seven and five years respectively, though with some of the bans "suspended" all three could play again in five years.
Notwithstanding any appeals, the bans seem to have brought an abrupt end to the careers of Butt and Asif who will be 31 and 33 before they are allowed back, and may no longer be fit enough or good enough for international cricket after such a lengthy lay-off.
While Aamer could return at the relatively young age of 23, it is hard to fathom the effect of five years of "pariah" status on him and whether he will be able to resume his career in a game in which he has excelled at such a tender age.
Of course, a ban was always expected, though the length and severity is still a shock to many.
In the end, the International Cricket Council (ICC) had done their homework and with so much riding for the game of cricket on this landmark case, it was imperative that the correct punishment was handed out.
Nevertheless, as the verdict was announced, one could not help but feel a tinge of sadness.
Regardless of how these players were perceived, no one could have wished for such humiliation and degradation of personal character. Just recently, Geoff Lawson, the former Pakistan coach, provided a glowing reference for Butt at the hearing - "of a polite young man with respect, if not deference for his elders".
Then there is the cheeky innocent smile of a young Aamer and the comical giggles of the lanky Asif. How did such great role models and heroes fall from grace? How could this happen to such a proud cricketing nation?
For answers, one needs to look at the top, at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). For too long, the PCB has allowed matters to be swept under the carpet. A lack of leadership has allowed previous misdemeanours to go unpunished.
Controversies including ill-discipline, performance enhancing drugs and match-fixing have tarnished the game in the country. Nonsensical bans have come and gone, but with little effect. The tumours in the game have been allowed to breed and grow and have led to the cancer with which we are now faced.
The constant soap opera that is Pakistan cricket has turned so many loyal supporters away from the game. So shallow is the faith in the team that often the general notion among some Pakistani fans after a fall of a wicket or a no-ball/wide is "it must be fixed!"
In that context, it took some bold leadership from the ICC to finally produce an ultimatum: clean up your act or more will follow.
For all the poor press the ICC receives, for this alone it has to be commended.
With the watchful eyes of the sporting world upon it, the ICC sent out the clear message that cricket will not tolerate corruption. We can only hope the PCB will take note and clean up its house.
While the lowest point for any Pakistani supporter was undoubtedly August 28, 2010 when the News of the World sting caught the Pakistan players in the act, February 5, 2011 is a day for introspection. It is the day that will hopefully lead to a change in the way cricket is played and administrated in Pakistan.
It comes with hope that future generations will accept that corrupt practices will not pay and that performance on the field is the only criteria for success.
After hitting rock bottom, the rise of a great cricketing nation is also in the works.
With bold new leadership at its helm and fresh young talent to support it, we have seen some heartwarming results against England and South Africa and a series win in New Zealand.
Pakistan has shown the world that cricket in the country has the will to live on and prosper.
Nothing signifies this new spirit more than the delirious shouts of "Pakistan Zindabad" (Long Live Pakistan) by the joyous Pakistan huddle as they won a memorable series in New Zealand.
That simple gesture, broadcast on live television and echoed in living rooms round the world, has warmed the hearts of millions of Pakistanis following this game. The pride of following the green jersey is slowly returning for the passionate Pakistani fans.
With the ICC's premier showcase event, the World Cup, just around the corner, it is hoped that the clamour associated with the Doha decisions will be drowned out by the songs of hope.
It is time for the current untainted Pakistan team to stand up and show the world that Pakistan will come through this saga stronger than ever before.
A new dawn for Pakistan cricket has arrived.
 
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