Daily Times

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday suspended all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz for two months following investigations into spot-fixing allegations in relation to the Pakistan Super League II that concluded in March with the final in Lahore. According to a spokesman for the PCB yesterday, the suspension period could be reduced to one month if certain conditions are fulfilled by the all-rounder. “First among the conditions is the payment of a fine of Rs0.2 million to the PCB. The suspension period may also be reduced if there is no additional breach of the PCB code by Nawaz,” added the spokesman. The PCB official said Nawaz had been penalised after he admitted failing to disclose an approach by a bookmaker to engage in corrupt practices.

Earlier this week, Nawaz was issued a notice of charge by the PCB’s security and vigilance department for violating Article 2.4.4 of the anti-corruption code. Nawaz was charged on allegations that he had failed to inform the PCB’s security department about invitations by bookies to engage in spot-fixing. “Nawaz submitted his written statement admitting the charges levelled against him by the PCB and appeared for subsequent meetings with the PCB on 16th May 2017 to properly explain his case,” the spokesman added. As criticism against the alleged corruption of Pakistan cricketers has grown after the spot-fixing scandal during the Pakistan Super League, the PCB has launched a crackdown in an attempt to eradicate the menace from the sport and put those found guilty to task.

23-year-old Nawaz, regarded as a bright prospect for Pakistan, was part of the Twenty20 squad in the West Indies last month but returned home without playing a match. He becomes the second casualty of a wide-ranging investigation after fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan was banned for six months with six suspended and fined one million rupees after admitting to similar charges. Four other players – Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Nasir Jamshed and Shahzaib Hasan – are also under investigation by a three-member tribunal and are provisionally suspended. The PCB has so far not revealed any details about the cases, including the identities of the bookmakers, what they asked players to do, and the amounts.

The PCB spokesman added that the player’s admission of guilt had led to a lighter sentence. Nawaz, who appeared for the Quetta Gladiators in the PSL, has so far played three Tests, nine one-day internationals and five Twenty20s. His last international outing came during an ODI in Pakistan’s tour of Australia in January. If found guilty, the four remaining players face bans ranging from five years to lifetime, because their charges related to more serious offences and they have not admitted their guilt.