PCB informs ICC about bookie approach to Sarfraz

Pakistan captain turns down offer, reports incident to ACU

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi on Saturday said they have informed International Cricket Council (ICC) about the approach made by a bookie to skipper Sarfraz Ahmed during the ongoing five-match series against Sri Lanka.

Sethi, in a tweet on Saturday, said: “A player was approached. As per rules, he immediately reported to the PCB who informed the ICC. Matters are jointly in hand. No further comment.”

A source close to the team told The Express Tribune that Sarfraz was approached by a bookie, who made a spot-fixing offer to him after the first ODI.

The captain, who led his team to a 4-0 victory on Friday against the Islanders, turned down the offer and reported the approach to PCB’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).

"The captain was approached by the bookie, who is believed to be of Pakistani origin. The incident happened after the first ODI, but Sarfraz turned them down by reporting the incident to PCB’s ACU immediately," said the source. "Sarfraz was approached while he was out with his family on an off day after the first ODI, and on his return to the hotel he reported the incident to the ACU officials.”

The source added that when the bookie approached him, Sarfraz thought he was a fan requesting for a picture, but the man made a spot-fixing offer to Sarfraz who turned it down on the spot and reported the approach to PCB’s security officials staying with the team and to the Director Security Colonel Azam in Lahore.

Following the incident, the team officials have tightened up the security measures and issued fresh instructions to the squad to stay away from irrelevant people and have also restored curfew timings for the players.

Earlier, Pakistan Super League franchise Islamabad United’s batsmen Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif were banned for five-years each for being a part of the spot-fixing scandal during the second edition.

Towering left-arm pacer Mohammad Irfan was also banned for six months for not reporting an approach made by a bookie during the same event.