Summary Sarfraz Ahmed was approached by the bookie during the second ODI in Abu Dhabi.
ABU Dhabi (Web Desk) – Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed has reportedly turned down the offer made to him by a bookmaker during the second one-day international (ODI) against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi, and immediately reported to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) anti-corruption unit (ACU).
Dunya News sports journalist confirmed the news and revealed that the skipper was approached a few nights ago to trade information about bowling changes and other things for a petty amount, but he immediately informed ACU.
Sarfaraz Ahmad was approached for spotfixing few nights ago but he immediately informed ACU. #pakvsl
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) October 21, 2017
Sarfaraz was asked to spotfix on informing him about bowling changes etc for a petty amount,the approach was by a high official involved
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) October 21, 2017
She further said that the man in question knows Sarfraz from his under-19 days and supplies the team often with net bowlers.
The man in question knew Sarf from his U19 days and supplies the team often with net bowlers. Good on Sarf to report immediately.
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) October 21, 2017
PCB ACU was always on their guard on this tour being already aware that two of Pakistan’s players would be approached, however, the captain was a target and casually approached by someone, she added.
With Sharjah Cricket who he knew from his playing days,ACU was always on their guard on this tour being already aware that two of Pak s team
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) October 21, 2017
Players would be approached. However the captain was a target and casually approached by someone he already knew.
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) October 21, 2017
After the incident, a PCB official said on condition of anonymity, “The matter has been handled as per standard procedure but there is a lot of respect for Sarfraz, who as a captain and player, has set a great example for his teammates on how to avoid attempts to corrupt the game.”
“ICC rules don’t allow us to name player (s) in such cases where approaches are reported but yes Sarfraz got an offer and he immediately reported the matter to the concerned officials, who have taken appropriate action,” he added.
“On the insistence of head coach Mickey Arthur, there was a bit of relaxation for the players during the ongoing series in the UAE and they were allowed to meet friends and go out for shopping and dinners but now strict procedures and timings have been enforced again,” the official said.
It is worth mentioning here that the spot-fixing scandal had jolted the PCB during the second edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Dubai earlier this year, and names of five big cricketers surfaced in the corruption scandal.
Mohammad Irfan and Mohammad Nawaz were found guilty of not informing the ACU about the offers that they received from the bookies. Nawaz was banned for one month and Irfan for one year, but his suspension was later reduced to six months.
Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif were found guilty of doing spot-fixing, and both have been banned from cricket for five years. Sharjeel and Khalid were also sent back home from Dubai during the tournament. The case of Shahzaib Hasan is still underway in the ACU.
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