Ball tampering is nothing new to Pakistan: Rameez Raja

Updated on: 03 February,2010 08:05 AM IST |
Majid Bhatti |

Shahid Afridi's involvement in the ball-tampering controversy has created a storm in world cricket, but former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja is not surprised at all.

Shahid Afridi's involvement in the ball-tampering controversy has created a storm in world cricket, but former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja is not surprised at all. For him, a Pakistan team getting mired in a ball-tampering controversy is no sensational news for the simple reason that it has happened so many times in the past.

"Each team has a unique specialty. For instance, when it comes to Australia, they have always been involved in controversies for excessive sledging. England are known for whining after every defeat. Similarly, when it comes to the Pakistan team, we have always been involved in ball-tampering controversies," Rameez said last night.u00a0u00a0u00a0

Spin legend Abdul Qadir said Afridi's actions have damaged Pakistan cricket's image no end. "Already there are so many issues affecting Pakistan cricket. Foreign teams are not touring here; the World Cup has been taken away from us. Then, the IPL (Indian Premier League) fiasco. The team's performance has been poor. In this all, we did not need another controversy. His actions have damaged Pakistan cricket's image," said Qadir.

Asked to react to Afridi's claim that ball-tampering has been a common thing in the past, former Pakistan pacer Sikander Bakht said: "There is no doubt ball-tampering has been taking place worldwide. But what Afridi has done is disgraceful. As a captain, he should have set an example. He should never be captain of Pakistan again." Bakht is a former Pakistan assistant coach.

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