3 Aug 2014

Banned cricketers back NZ prison plan

6:02 am on 3 August 2014

Two banned Pakistan cricketers have backed moves by New Zealand to bring in prison sentences for players found guilty of spot or match fixing.

Salim Malik

Salim Malik Photo: AFP FILE

Salim Malik, who is serving a life ban for match-fixing, and Muhammad Aamir, who has a five-year ban, said prison terms would deter players tempted to fix a game, and other cricket playing nations should follow New Zealand's lead.

On Thursday Parliament unanimously passed the first reading of a bill that makes match-fixing a form of deception under the Crimes Act and sets a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.

The legislation will be considered by a select committee in the next Parliament.

Chief operating officer of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Subhan Ahmad, said it will be calling for parliamentarians there to enact a similar law.