Is Mohammad Aamir's 5 year ban too harsh?

I was ambivalent towards this issue, until very recently. While as a cricket-lover I could not condone Aamir's betrayal of my beloved sport, it was unfair to equate him with Salman Butt or Mohammad Asif, two mature cunning individuals fully cognizant of what they were doing and the repercussions. I thought his punishment could be mitigated, throwing him a chance at redemption.


But that was until it was recently revealed that the ICC had tried to work out a deal in which Aamir's ban would be reduced to 2 years, if he pleaded guilty to the allegations. So, the ICC did give him a second chance. Aamir clearly has only himself to blame for not acquiescing to that proposal. Fact is that some of the rapacious Pakistani players had insidiously converted the camp into a bookies' haven. Some of the culpable parties have escaped conviction due to lack of evidence(like a certain Kam... Ak...) and they will no doubt be commending Aamir for not ratting on them. But as a neutral, I wished he had so that his promising career could flourish.


Life waits for nothing and the game goes on. Cricket today lacks the type of domineering bowlers who bully the batsmen and capture the imagination of the public. In such circumstances, some mediocre player like Kam... Ak... would not be missed. But the absence of Aamir's precocious talent is felt everyday.