‘Salman Butt ‘willing’ to give lie-detector test’

Salman Butt, the deposed Test captain of the Pakistan team is "willing" to give lie-detector tests, according to his father, Zulfiqar Ali. Speaking exclusively over his cell-phone from Lahore , the dad said, "My son, Salman has nothing to hide and no reason to speak lie. He is willing to appear before the polygraph machines, if asked, by the International Cricket Council (ICC)".

In August, 2010, Butt and two other players, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, were among those named by a News of the World sting where undercover reporters paid an agent loosely affiliated with several players on Pakistan's squad a bribe in return for detailed information on when no-balls would be deliberately bowled. Butt, Amir, and Asif were dropped from Pakistan's team for the limited-over series (two Twenty20 games, and five ODI games), however, on September 2, 2010, after the warm-up List A game between Pakistan and Somerset, the International Cricket Council announced that they had suspended Asif, Amir and Butt under the provision of the provisions of the ICC's Anti-Corruption Code.

"We also want the so-called bookie (Mazhar Majeed) and the reporter of the News of the World (NOW) to give lie-tests. However, even if they refuse to do so, my son will not back-out", the Salman Butt's father insisted.

A polygraph (popularly referred to as a lie detector) is an instrument that measures and records several physiological indices such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity while the subject is asked and answers a series of questions, in the belief that deceptive answers will produce physiological responses that can be differentiated from those associated with non-deceptive answers.

Former Australian captain Steve Waugh is behind a radical plan to have international cricket players face lie detector tests in a bid to eradicate corruption from the game. Waugh is part of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) World Cricket Committee that met in Perth this week and came up with a number of recommendations it will pass on to the International Cricket Council.

Interesting, in 1994–95 Mark Waugh, the brother of Steve, and Shane Warne had accepted money from an Indian bookmaker in exchange for pitch and weather information. The then Australian Cricket Board (ACB, now known as Cricket Australia) had secretly fined both players for their actions. The ACB's suppression of the case and the actions of the two players were widely condemned.

"Whether Steve Waugh would have still insisted for the lie-detector tests for his brother as well", asks Salman's father. "I shall request our lawyers to take note of this and ask the same to the ICC", Zulfiqar Ali Butt signed off.

The boy who cried milestones

For a boy tipped to emulate the legends, termed the best piece of talent touching wood this decade, and one oozing unprecedented fearlessness – be it at the crease or with his choice of lip balm – Umar Akmal’s fall has been shocking.

Drafted into the side following Pakistan’s 2009 World Twenty20 triumph, Akmal – with age, confidence and domestic milestones on his side – was handed an opportunity not many Pakistani debutants are given – playing for a side in its ascent.

Impressing straight away

A 66 in his second One-Day International was immediately followed by a swashbuckling 102. A century on Test debut – with a 75 in the second-innings – away from home predicted laurels for the boy, still in his teens. And despite stumbles en route the achievements, it seemed that Akmal – once the dressing-room jester, the boy who refused to grow up and concentrate – could be handed a responsibility as huge as shouldering a nation’s hopes.

With 555 runs in his first five Tests, more of the same was predicted. However, as Pakistan fell away at the turn of the year, so did Akmal, in a manner wretched and mortifying for his fans and the team management — just 267 runs in his next eight Tests.

The change that did not come

The aggression and the willingness remained. But so did the reluctance to adapt and to adjust. It was believed that things had changed at the Wanderers against the West Indies, but then his youth caught up with him.

Akmal’s waning at international level can be partly blamed for the lack of experience around him. When he glowed, he had the radiance of Mohammad Yousuf or Misbahul Haq around him. But as the Pakistan Cricket Board went astray, the glow was reduced to a mere flicker.

A sensational title-winning maiden domestic season for SNGPL comprised a double century – with a second denied by the mischief mongers – and brought him 855 runs. There, around him, were experienced individuals. Mohammad Hafeez and Misbah, and Azhar Shafiq to an extent, nourished and guided him. It did not change his approach, and neither did the constant bellowing, but there existed options for the 17-year-old to turn to.

Not after the Australian whitewash. Temporal punishments meant a revamped batting order and suddenly, the apprentice became the mentor. Expectations grew and reached an inequitable high and he still spoke of confidence eloquently, striding to the crease. But as the results failed to come for Pakistan, the outcome affected Akmal too. This time, there was no radiance around him but just promising sparks. There were no branches he could cling on to but seedlings that needed his comfort. The coaches shared their experience but, going solo, Akmal had to manoeuvre, navigate and accomplish all alone.

The problems

The attitude, defiance and traces of arrogance emanating from the young blood have to be blamed but so are the circumstances. With glory and uninterrupted dose of admiration shoved his way – every comment about the youngster pointed to a godly future – the head was found somewhere in the skies.

Akmal realised he had something special in him but failed to implement that on a constant basis, a trait that was badly needed by Pakistan given the circumstances. The eagerness to be one above the competition existed but the drive to get on with things, ironically, hampered the progress.

For Akmal to revive his career, he needs support. Even Sachin Tendulkar had to rely on the experience en route providential ascent to the skies.

“No disciplinary issues at all” in Pakistan cricket team: Intikhab Alam

Karachi, Dec 19: Pakistan cricket team manager Intikhab Alam has expressed confidence that the New Zealand tour would go off well for Pakistan, as presently there are “no disciplinary issues at all” in the squad“There is complete harmony and no disciplinary issues at all in this team and that is why I am confident that we can do well on the tour,” the Daily Times quoted Intikhab, as saying.

He said the players had been advised to put the spot-fixing issues aside, and focus on beating Kiwis in their own backyard. 

There is lot happening on the sidelines but our job is to play good cricket and try to beat New Zealand in their own backyard. They are always a dangerous side at home but their recent crushing defeats to India is something we can build on,” Intikhab said. 

“Although the pitches in New Zealand and the sub-continent, where we play the World Cup, are different, a six-match one-day series at the end of the tour will help us build a combination and overcome our shortcomings,” he added.

Intikhab, however, declined to comment on questions about suspended Test captain Salman Butt’s upcoming hearing by the International Cricket Council’s inquiry tribunal, or the delay in selection of the World Cup probables because of clearance issues with some players. 

“I would not like to respond to these questions because they would be best answered by the board and selectors. My job is focus on team affairs,” he maintained. 

Pakistan open the New Zealand tour with the first of three Twenty20 internationals on December 26 before playing two Tests and six one-dayers- their last commitment before the World Cup.