Sethi says a Pakistan cricketer was approached by a bookie

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi on Saturday confirmed a national team player was approached by a bookie with an offer of fixing which was immediately reported to the board’s anti-corruption unit.

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

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

— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) October 21, 2017

Some media reports said the player approached was skipper Sarfraz Ahmed and it happened on October 17 before the third one-day international in Abu Dhabi a day later.

Match-fixers’ bid to lure Sarfraz go abortivehttps://t.co/TjXZfI51n0 pic.twitter.com/c52HLEMKTf

— ARY Videos (@ARYVideos) October 21, 2017

Under the anti-corruption code, a player must report a fixing offer and failure to do so can result in a ban of a minimum of six months. The maximum punishment is a life ban.

Pakistan leads the five-match series 4-0 after a thumping seven-wicket win against Sri Lanka in Sharjah on Friday. The final match takes place in Sharjah on Monday.

Under ICC rules a player is interviewed by its anti-corruption unit to further investigate the matter, but the governing body does not make any comment on an ongoing investigation.

Pakistan cricket received a jolt in February when two of its players — Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif — were caught in a spot-fixing scandal which rocked their Twenty20 league held in the United Arab Emirates.

Sharjeel was banned for five years (two and a half years of which were suspended) while Khalid was banned for five years and fined one million rupees ($10,000).

The two played for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and were accused of arranging two dot balls in return for money in the opening match of the league.

Pacer Mohammad Irfan was banned for one year, six months of which were suspended, and fined one million rupees while spinning all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz was banned for two months (one suspended) and fined 200,000 rupees ($2,000) for failing to report fixing offers at various stages.