Saturday 27th Jul, 2024
New Delhi: A day after it emerged that Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed was approached by a bookie and had reported the matter to Pakistan Cricket Board, the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has charge of the matter, according to a report in ESPNcricinfo.com.
The report added that Sarfraz was approached after the third one-day international vs Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
“A player was approached,” tweeted PCB chairman Najam Sethi. “As per rules, he immediately reported to PCB who informed the ICC. Matters are jointly in hand. No further comment.”
Recently, Pakistan Cricket Board had banned international batsmen Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif after they had been found guilty of breaching PCB’s anti-corruption code.
Meanwhile, AFP added that Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur praised Sarfraz for reporting a spot-fixing approach as “a real example to our team”.
To be honest the player reacted unbelievably well,” Arthur told media at Sharjah stadium. “He did everything required of him and we had a chat straight afterwards.
“It was handled brilliantly and I think that is a real example to our team and to the cricket world that a really important player was approached and acted to the letter of the law and did exceptionally well as a true ambassador of the game.”
Arthur was confident all his players would act in the same manner in future.
“I am very comfortable with our players, they are outstanding and they are intelligent young men and individuals and I have no doubt that if anyone is approached they will do the same way as the individual (Sarfraz) did,” said Arthur.
As per the anti-corruption rules a player is required to instantly report a fixing offer, failing to which will result in a minimum of six months to a maximum life ban.