Pakistan's National T20 Cup Under Match-Fixing Scanner After Domestic Cricketer Reports Corrupt Approach By Suspect Bookmaker

The Pakistan Cricket Board has engaged the Federal Investigating Agency (FIA) to undertake an investigation into the matter after carrying out an initial probe. As per a report in ESPNcricinfo, the unnamed player who reported the 'corrupt approach' to the PCB Anti-Corruption authorities has not represented Pakistan in international cricket.

Image: PCB Twitter Handle

The dark clouds of match fixing could once again be looming large over Pakistan's domestic cricket circuit after a domestic cricketer  competing in the ongoing National T20 Cup reported a "corrupt approach" during the flagship tournament to Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) anti-corruption unit. The Pakistan Cricket Board has engaged the Federal Investigating Agency (FIA) to undertake an investigation into the matter after carrying out its initial probe. As per a report in ESPNcricinfo, the unnamed player who reported the 'corrupt approach' to the PCB Anti-Corruption authorities has not represented Pakistan in international cricket. PCB Director of Anti-Corruption and Security Lt. Col (retd) Asif Mahmood thanked the player for approaching the country's national cricket board on the issue. According to a PCB statement, an unnamed player reported an approach from a suspected bookmaker during the tournament in Rawalpindi. "I have spoken with the player to compliment and thank him for following the PCB Anti-Corruption Code and reporting the approach to the anti-corruption officer," the PCB Anti-Corruption and Security director Lt Col (Retd) Asif Mahmood said. "Following the report, the PCB Anti-Corruption Unit carried out its own probe and unearthed some sensitive information, which has been forwarded to the FIA, which has the required expertise, resources, capabilities, and powers to investigate such matters. "As we cannot jeopardise an ongoing investigation, it will be inappropriate for us to share any specifics of the approach. However, the PCB as a responsible member of the International Cricket Council will continue to keep the game's administrative body abreast of the progress in investigations as part of our information-sharing approach."

PCB confirms player approach during #NationalT20Cuphttps://t.co/BN4RpWoF4e pic.twitter.com/Syz5SRXSxf

— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) October 15, 2020

Before the commencement of the National T20 Cup, PCB had carried out mandatory anti-corruption lectures reminding players of their responsibility, and guided players thoroughly about the code. This has been a regular practice at domestic and international series since 2010 when the PCB was forced to revise its code of conduct for players with special emphasis on anti-corruption. With an underlying aim to curb and prevent any kind of involvement into match or spot fixing activities, the PCB has also made it compulsory  for cricketers to have their agents approved by the board. The PCB had also implemented education programmes for cricketers to create awareness about match-fixing and set up an Integrity Committee to look into issues of corruption and doping. After the 2010 spot-fixing saga that dented Pakistan cricket's image around the globe, the PCB has mandated a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption in cricket. Last year, the PCB under Ehsan Mani offered a draft to the federal government on how to curb the illegal betting in the country and urged the government of Pakistan on providing legislation to criminalise corruption in sports. "We are all aware that the game is at risk due to a small number of corrupters who try to entice cricketers for their personal gains and benefit," the PCB said.. "But there is also no doubt that we can collectively defeat these people if the players strictly abide by the anti-corruption protocols and continue to report approaches to the anti-corruption officers."