Pakistani Wicketkeeper Vows to ‘Name and Shame’ Corrupt Cricketers

Zulqarnain Haider, the former Pakistan national cricket team wicketkeeper has pledged to shed more light on corruption within the sport after three of his compatriots were banned from the sport for five years by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Haider, 24, said that he would “name and shame” those guilty of corruption after seeking asylum in the UK in November after claiming he had received death threats for refusing to help fix two games against South Africa.

In an interview with PakPassion.net, Haider stated: “There are big names involved in these illegal activities, but they’re getting away with it. I am ready to name and shame them, if asked by the relevant authorities.”

Accusations of spot-fixing in last summer’s Test against England saw Pakistani trio Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir receive lengthy sanctions despite the three have always denied any wrongdoing.

Despite the bans, Haider claimed thorough investigations were “not being carried out” and continued: “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 ACSU (the ICC’s Anti-corruption & Security Unit) and ICC to catch them out.”

Haider, whose contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board was terminated following his flight to the UK, suggested that one way to keep tabs on players would be to subject them to greater financial scrutiny.

“What needs to happen very soon is for an organisation to be set up by the ICC for the specific purpose of looking into the bank accounts and financial dealings of all international cricketers,” he said.

“This can be an offshoot of the ACSU and should contain individuals who have previously worked in the legal profession or the world of finance.

“The new organisation needs to work closely with all of the international cricket boards who should offer their utmost cooperation.

“The player contracts with respective boards should have a clause in the contract stating that all financial transactions have to be transparent and details of all bank accounts irrespective of location, have to be revealed by the cricketer to the board and investigating authority.”

He added: “I gave up everything in cricket. I had a promising career ahead of me and I sacrificed it all, but I don’t have any regrets and my mission now is to clean up the game.

“I am prepared to do anything to help in totally cleaning up cricket.”