Cricketers Who Went to Jail – A cricketer who has been in trouble with the law is not a new phenomenon. In fact, it’s part and parcel of the world that cricket and crime are closely intertwined. Crimes ranging from betting to sexual assault and from tax evasion to match-fixing has had a cricket connection. And in this article, I’ll take you through some of the cricketers who have been to jail.
Must Read: Cricketers Who Got Arjuna Award
Salman Butt
Salman Butt, the former Pakistan captain, was sentenced to 30 months in jail in 2011 after being found guilty of spot-fixing. Butt was found guilty of conspiring with fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir to accept corrupt payments in return for deliberately bowling no-balls during the Lord’s Test against England in 2010.
The scandal led to Amir and Asif being banned from cricket for five and seven years respectively, while Butt was banned for 10 years.
Asif Ali Zardari
Asif Ali Zardari, a former Pakistan cricket captain, went to jail in 1996 for his involvement in match-fixing. He was sentenced to 32 months in prison and was released after serving 12 months. In 2000, Zardari was again involved in match-fixing and was banned from cricket for life. However, he was pardoned by the Pakistani government in 2008 and allowed to play cricket again.
In 2010, Zardari was convicted of money laundering and sentenced to 10 years in prison. However, he was released on bail in 2013 and his sentence was overturned on appeal in 2014. Zardari has been involved in several other scandals since then, but he has not been convicted of any other crimes.
Read More: Cricketers Who Scored 10000 Runs in Test
Mohammad Amir
Mohammad Amir is a Pakistani cricket player who was convicted of spot-fixing in 2010 and served time in jail. He returned to cricket in 2016 and has since been a key member of the Pakistani team. Amir was just 18 years old when he was caught up in the spot-fixing scandal that rocked the cricket world. He was sentenced to six months in jail and served half of his sentence before being released on probation.
Since returning to cricket, Amir has been one of Pakistan’s most successful bowlers. He played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s victory at the 2017 Champions Trophy and was named Player of the Tournament. Despite his past, Amir has become one of Pakistan’s most popular cricketers and is admired for his talent and determination.
Danish Kaneria
Danish Kaneria is a former Pakistani cricketer who was sentenced to jail in England for his involvement in spot-fixing. Kaneria was found guilty of conspiring to fix matches during a county cricket match in 2009. He was given a life ban from cricket by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
In 2012, Kaneria was arrested by the UK’s Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and charged with match-fixing. He was found guilty and sentenced to six years in jail. Kaneria is the first Pakistani cricketer to be jailed for spot-fixing. He is also the first cricketer to be banned for life by the ECB.
Not to Miss: Cricketers Who Were Murdered
Conclusion
Although there are many cricket players who have been convicted of serious crimes, there are also some who have been able to turn their lives around and become positive role models for the sport. It is important to remember that cricket is a game that should be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their criminal past.
Must See: Cricketers Who Retired Very Late
