In the first entry of his regular blog on PakPassion.net, former Pakistan International Mohammad Wasim expresses his dismay at PCB's treatment of corrupt players and asks what kind of message it sends to other talented and honest players.

By Mohammad Wasim (15th December, 2013)

I am a young talented cricketer. I heard some great news yesterday that I have been selected for the national team. I was so happy that my childhood dream is coming true. I will be able represent my country and get the chance to become famous and to provide myself and my family a better life.

I am so overjoyed that soon I will have the honour to represent my country and I will never do anything to damage my country's name. But today I am confused. I heard that someone who has been found guilty of damaging our country's name and was serving a punishment, will be soon be allowed to play cricket again. That means even if I do well for Pakistan I could be replaced by him, or if I don't do well I might not get a second chance because of him.

So what should I do now? Should I think of short cuts to fulfil my dreams? Even if I get caught I can always make a comeback like him. If Mohammad Amir can get away with it than why can't I?

I am also young and very talented. Maybe I should not play blind in this weak system, I should look at all the cards in my hand and look at all the options available to me if I don't trust this system.

Thanks to the weak management at the helm of the PCB, you can't blame players to have all these doubts. There are many questions. Why is the PCB so weak that for once they cant take a simple decision for the betterment of the game in Pakistan? Why don't they send a clear message to all players at least one time so that all players will think it over many times before doing something silly?

Why don't the PCB punish the culprits themselves. Why doesn't the PCB ever take the initial step for a change. Why are all the punishments and penalties coming from the ICC, other cricket boards or courts? Is the PCB just there to follow them?

Spot fixing, match fixing, positive dope tests, smoking hash, ball tampering, pitch tampering, the PCB has never punished anyone accordingly. Even if they did, after a short while the decision was reversed.

There were some other scandals also involving one or two umpires and a player who ran away during a tour. Still I guess everyone is waiting for that one day when everything will be brought to the attention of the public, what actually happened and why and what is PCB's stance on it.

Its time to move forward and get rid of this old method of hiding the files and problems in dusty cupboards and pretend that everything is solved. The Pakistani nation who loves cricket has every right to know and see the clear picture. Without showing the facts to the public and to the players, it's not possible to earn the respect and trust which unfortunately PCB has lost for many years.

The whole organisation needs a overhaul from top to bottom and a review of the system and policies - if there are any! Its time to look at ourselves and stop blaming others and always act like the victims. There are double standards for us, we always get mistreated, we get harder punishments than others, other cricket boards are influencing ICC etc. Oh come on ! Look at our standards first, here and there winning some games is not going to bring our lost identity back. We need to set high standards on and off the field and it always start from ourselves.

It's time for action now, not only emotional words and promises here and there.

On the other hand when it comes to the Board being criticised, they are very strict. If you say something, next day you will get a show cause notice and if you still don't shut up then your international and domestic cricket will be over. I am an example of this policy. So obviously criticising PCB is a bigger crime than damaging Pakistan's name!

Its very sad and heartbreaking to see great talent wasted but for everybody's sake and for the pride of country, strict steps should be taken so it never happens again. One clear message should be that if you get involved in such activities you will never be able to play again, you will never even become coach, selector, manager or have any role in cricket for rest of your life. No more photos in the stadiums and no hall of fame !!

Sometimes PCB's softness raises many question in the public's mind. Many people often think, is everybody connected? Maybe its time to take steps for PCB's own reputation. Rather than educating players not to do such immoral acts, show them one time what will happen if you do such things and that will be a lesson to everyone.

Remember one thing - PCB's clean-chit will no longer be enough. The public does not forgive or forget. For every bad shot, dropped catch, no ball, wide ball from the banned player when he returns, the public will scream "its fixed!"

Discuss!