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Sarfraz approached by bookie for spot-fixing during SL series

22 October 2017 09:12 am - 2     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed was approached by a bookie who made a spot-fixing offer to him during the ongoing ODI series against Sri Lanka in UAE, sources disclosed on Saturday.
Sarfraz rejected the offer and immediately reported the approach to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), sources said.

A day ago, it was reported that an “important” member of Pakistan squad had been approached by an international fixing syndicate, but the cricketer had foiled the spot-fixing bid and alerted the ACU officials.

Sources revealed later that the cricketer in question was skipper Sarfraz, who was shopping with his family at a mall in Dubai when he was approached by a bookie ahead of the second ODI against Sri Lanka.

The bookie came up to the captain, who first thought he was a fan requesting for a selfie. The man, however, made a spot-fixing bid to Sarfraz who turned it down on the spot and reported the approach to PCB’s security officials staying with the team.

Sarfraz also reported the approach to Director Security Colonel Azam in Lahore.

The board, following the incident, tightened security measures for the team and issued fresh instructions to the squad to stay away from irrelevant people.

PCB security officials also restored the curfew timings for the players in the aftermath of the approach. The curfew had been ended after Mickey Arthur took over as head coach.

PCB hands over spot-fixing investigation to ICC. PCB has forwarded the investigation into the spot-fixing approach to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit.

According to reports, the ICC will interview players including Sarfraz and team management.
PCB chairman Najam Sethi confirmed the approach, without naming the player.

“A player was approached. As per rules he immediately reported to PCB who informed ICC. Matters are jointly in hand. No further comment,” he tweeted.

The bookie who allegedly made a spot-fixing bid to Sarfraz is believed to be an employee of Sharjah cricket stadium.

According to source the suspect hails from Karachi and has been identified as Irfan Ansari.
He offered spot-fixing related to bowling changes, the sources said.

The Sharjah stadium management has reportedly decided to take action against the employee in question. Irfan is considered well known in the cricket circles in UAE and Pakistan.

Prior to the Pakistan-Sri Lanka series, there were reports that bookies were intending to approach players, in view of which the PCB’s ACU team was already on alert and had tightened curfew timings for the team.

Pakistan play Sri Lanka in the fifth and final ODI at Sharjah on October 23. They have already sealed the five-match ODI series 4-0.—Agencies


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  Comments - 2

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  • ANTON Sunday, 22 October 2017 10:21 AM

    CRICKETER .... AND A GENTLEMAN, JUST LIKE IMRAN KHAN .... BUT QUITE DIFFERENT FROM JAVED MIANDAD.

    Rasheed Monday, 23 October 2017 01:06 PM

    Very soon Safraz will be out of Pakistan team for no reason, like they did for Mohamed Yousuf.


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