'Saddened' Shahid Afridi says cannot understand why players indulge in fixing

Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi has expressed his disappointment at the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fixing scandal, saying that it had left him 'sad' and added that he cannot understand why some players are lured into corrupt practices despite earning good money.

Afridi had reportedly played a key role in bringing to the notice of the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption unit, the illegal activities of the banned trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir on the tour to England in 2010, the Daily Times reports.

According to the report, Afridi had apparently provided enough material to the ICC and also informed the PCB about the shady activities of the three players who are presently serving minimum five-year bans from the sport.

Stating that he was saddened by the spot-fixing controversy, which led to the arrest of three players, Afridi said that he cannot grasp the fact that players resort to illegal means to earn money when there is already good money to be earned by playing cricket honestly and with 100 percent commitment and dedication.

Although the former captain has been retained in category A of the new central contracts given by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to select players despite being dropped from the Champions Trophy squad over poor form, Afridi said that he did not deserve to be in the top category given his ordinary performance in recent month.

Afridi further said that he would have more comfortable and justified in Category B.