Pakistan cricket great Javed Miandad calls for death penalty for match fixers

Miandad's views came after PCB suspended 5 Pakistani cricketers for alleged involvement in PSL spot-fixing scandal.

New Delhi: Former Pakistan skipper Javed Miandad, who has often criticised repeated attempts of corruption in Pakistan cricket, has given a strong message to those involved in match-fixing.

When asked about a possible solution of such incidents, Miandad told reporters that strong laws are required to curb fixing scandals.

“Authorities must take measures to stop this (corruption in Cricket). Why don’t you take strong measures? You should give death penalty to such people,” Miandad was quoted saying in a report published by Indiatimes.com after as many as five players were suspended by Pakistan Cricket Board for alleged involvement in the spot-fixing scandal that recently hit Pakistan Super League.

"We must not tolerate such things, not at all,” the legendary cricketer continued saying.

He maintained his stance saying only a harsh punishment would deter others from entering into such corrupt practices and keep cricket clean.

Another ex-Pakistan player Abdul Qadir is also off the same view that players involved in corruption should be hanged.

While talking in a TV show, leg-spin legend. said that players like Sharjeel, Salman Butt, Muhammad Asif and Danish Kaneria would have never been tempted to do such things had those involved in the past been handed the punishment they deserved.

"Had you hanged Wasim Akram, Inzamam, Mushtaq Ahmed - there`s an entire list - instead of giving them a slap on the wrist, what`s happening now would`ve never happened," said Qadir.Shahid Afridi, who recently retired from international cricket, was in tune with Qadir`s assertion, saying cricket can never be cleansed until corrupt players are banned for life.

"Until an example is set, this issue will continue," Afridi said."When a player knows he will be forgiven and brought back into the national fold after four or five years, there isn`t any fear or deterrence," he added.

At least five players including Sharjeel, Khalid, Mohammad Irfan, Nasir Jamshed and Shahzaib Hasan have been suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for their alleged involvement in the spot-fixing scandal. 

(With ANI inputs)