Afridi, Miandad back Hafeez’s stance against tainted cricketers

• The 39-year-old had recently questioned the possible return of tainted cricket Sharjeel Khan into the national side.

Pakistan cricket legend Javed Miandad and Shahid Khan Afridi have backed all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez’s stance of setting an example out of tainted cricketers.

The 39-year-old had recently questioned the possible return of tainted cricket Sharjeel Khan into the national side. The all-rounder argued that whether a player’s corrupt past should be overlooked if he has a decent skill set.

In an interview, Afridi emphasised the need for harsher punishments for tainted cricketers, in order to discourage players from involving in illegal activities.

"I feel examples should have been set in the past but this didn't happen and that is why we have seen such cases on a regular basis," Afridi said. "I have nothing against anyone but even now if the Board wants to set an example it can do that. Only then can we hope to curtail such cases."

Meanwhile, legendary batsman Javed Miandad speaking on YouTube took it even further and said such players should be hanged for bringing their country name into disrepute.

“Players who are involved in spot-fixing should be severely punished. These things go against the teachings of our religion [Islam] and should be treated accordingly,” he said. “The people who bring these players back should be ashamed of themselves.”

“PCB is not doing the right thing by forgiving them. Spot-fixers should be hanged because it is similar to killing someone and so the punishment should also be on the same lines. An example should be set so that no players even thinks about doing something like this,” he added.