KARACHI: Sick and tired of one after another doping stigma sullying the country's image, former Pakistan greats have urged the cricket board not to show any mercy to tainted pacer Mohammad Asif.
"It is time the board stopped supporting players who are constantly bringing a bad name to the country. Only time will tell if he is innocent or not but there is no doubt that Asif has been responsible for spoiling the image of Pakistan cricket not once but a number of times," former captain, Javed Miandad said.
The former great also blamed the cricket board for the constant tarnishing of Pakistan cricket internationally.
"The players are responsible for their behaviour but at the same time the board has encouraged them to indulge in indiscipline by constantly ignoring their past acts and refusing to get tough with them," he added.
Miandad, who appeared in 124 Tests, said that it had become a joke the way Pakistani players were getting involved
in dope scandals.
"In 2006 the board was soft on Shoaib Akhtar and Asif. Last month their reaction to Asif's detention in Dubai was shocking. So now if they are faced with another dope scandal they are equally to blame and should be sacked."
Miandad said even a top team like Australia had not spared their best player, Shane Warne, when he tested positive before the 2003 World Cup.
"I have constantly said no player is bigger than the game. That is why Australia are number one today. They didn't compromise on discipline. Unfortunately in Pakistan there has been constant compromise on discipline," Miandad rued.
He called on President Pervez Musharraf who is chief patron of the board to make officials accountable and even now set wrongs right by announcing a new cricket set-up.
Former captain Zaheer Abbas said Asif's positive test was sad news for Pakistan cricket as it was not the first time he had been linked to a doping scandal.
"I just can not understand why Pakistan cricketers are using drugs. I think PCB management is unable to restrict its player on such issues that is why they're enjoying all liberties," he said.
He called for strict action to be taken against Asif if he proved guilty.
"But first we must also confirm what substance he used in the IPL and whether it was for some therapy treatment," he said.
Moin Khan too was not so sympathetic towards Asif.
"His behaviour shows irresponsibility because if you're a player and representing your country's national team then you're the ambassador of the country, so you should not do things which give bad name to the country," he said.
"Its been happening constantly, I think the board should do something because it is not good for the country and of course for upcoming youngsters. So they have to take hard steps, they should ban such players or at least impose a big penalty on them," he added.
Former captain and commentator Rameez Raja said Asif would have to reap what he had sowed.
"I feel sorry that we could lose such a potentially good bowler. It is sad. But this latest doping scandal involving one of our players shows that perhaps the player have lost the respect and fear of the authorities," he said.
"There has to be an understanding with the players which line they are not supposed to cross at any time. Unfortunately in recent times Pakistani players have been irresponsible and it has brought a bad name to the country."
Rameez said that he feared for Asif's future as the bowler had tested positive during a WADA event.
"I hope he is proven innocent but I fear for his future. It is a sorry state of affairs and it is reflecting in our performances," he lamented.
