PCB asks government to criminalize match-fixing and spot-fixing

[Abdullah719]

The Pakistan Cricket Board has asked the government to legislate a law that would criminalise match-fixing and spot-fixing in cricket.

PCB chairman Ehsan Mani said that the board does not currently have the means to probe match-fixing deeply.

"I have already spoken to the government about this because other cricket playing nations like Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka have enacted laws that make match-fixing a criminal offence," a PTI report quoted him as saying on Tuesday.

He said the PCB had closely followed the procedure adopted by the Sri Lankan board while legislating its law against match fixers.

"We are studying their procedure closely and we also want corruption acts in cricket to be considered a criminal act," he said.

Mani however maintained that they would follow the ICC protocol of allowing cricketers to return to the field after serving a ban and rehabilitation process.

"I will not talk about individuals but right now players who have completed bans and undergone rehab have the right to play again and it applies to everyone," he said.

https://www.thedailystar.net/sports...s-government-criminalize-match-fixing-1893061

 

[Batsman e Azam]

Finally! Hopefully this is done before the cheat Sharjeel is allowed back in the team.

He and the other players who have done fixing should never ever don the green jersey again PERIOD

 

[hitthestump]

I'm happy with this but this shouldn't retrospectively affect anyone.

A law like this gives players leverage to say 'no'.

I think it is often overlooked how much pressure players can be under to fix. These criminal fixing gangs are no joke.

If it is going to become a criminal offence then the government needs to do their part by actually clamping down on the people behind the fixing and throwing individuals in jail.

 

[FreePalestine]

It is crazy that many Pakistani fans actually needed a law like this to understand that fixing is bad! Have seen many posters who have tried to explain to me how spot fixing is a ‘victimless crime’ and that it’s not big deal...

 

[wrongun]

Creating specific offences would send a message. Many countries are instituting similar laws to make it easier to punish offenders properly. I have copied Australia's current laws on the matter...

Offences under the Anti-Cheating Laws
The anti-cheating laws are contained in Part 4ACA of the Crimes Act. A person will have committed an offence where they:

Knowingly or recklessly corrupt a betting outcome of an event and,
With the intention of obtaining a financial advantage or cause a financial advantage in relation to any betting on an event

The offences range from behaviour that constitutes engaging in, facilitating or concealing conduct or an agreement about conduct that corrupts a betting outcome of an event.



Corruption conduct information and inside information
A person who is in possession of corrupt conduct information or inside information and uses that information for betting purposes is also guilty of an offence.

Under the Act, corrupt conduct information is information about conduct or proposed conduct that corrupts a betting outcome of an event.

Inside information is defined under the Act as information that is not generally available but if it were, it would likely influence a person in making a betting decision in relation to the event.



Penalties
The penalties associated with match fixing activities clearly demonstrate the seriousness of this behaviour. A maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment is applicable to the following offences:

Engaging in conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event
Facilitating conduct that corrupts a betting outcome of an event
Concealing conduct or agreement about conduct that corrupts betting outcome of event
For the offence of using corrupt conduct information for betting purposes, the maximum penalty is also 10 years imprisonment.

For the offences of using inside information for betting purposes, the maximum penalty is 2 years imprisonment.

 

[chacha kashmiri]

Looks like the pcb is really struggling with the umar akmal case
Whoever was sending him texes need to be jailed and he needs to stand before a judge to testify to this and accept his own guilt however much he was party to it

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I think Pakistan is one country that probably needs this the most. If I'm not wrong Sri Lanka has already criminalized match-fixing. And this shouldn't be an issue that should be up for political debate. Pass it and make it a law.

 

[ahmedzee]

Thank GOODNESS!
Please bring this law into effect before our next international.

 

[Savak]

The PCB needs to insert a clause in the central contract, any centrally contracted player caught match fixing or spot fixing will lose the right to ever represent Pakistan again or even play domestic cricket again.

 

[ads101]

This is good but there is a problem. Even if cricketers are jailed, and yes jail is a deterrent, they can come back. Amir got jail (Young offenders because of his age). And yet he returned. If PCB want a cricketer to come back from fixing, they'll encourage them to serve the jail sentence and the cricket ban and then pick them again.

You're punishing the cricketer more. But you're not taking away the power of the PCB to recall a player which isn't changed. Fans and the board will want that option open so that a talented fixer can always return.

There are also lots of people who will risk a short jail sentence to make money. If they're not playing cricket anyway, actually being confined to jail is not as bad. As you're not doing anything else.

The only real deterrent is life ban from international cricket forever. A punishment you can't simply just wait out. Yes it will suck if a talented player is found fixing and then can never play international cricket again. But far better we sacrifice one guy, and deter countless of talented players from fixing in the future.

 

[shamaan]

Should be done and will be good for pakistan cricket

 

[Buffet]

Yep, Government, ICC yada yada...

PCB will keep bringing back talented fixers even if they go to jail. PCB has zero responsibility. It's always others who need to tackle it.

 

[sweep_shot]

Not a bad idea.

Fixers should be banned for life.

 

[MenInG]

Those players who wish to fix will continue doing so - there is some mental issue which no legislation will remedy.

 

[The cricket enthusiast]

Those players who wish to fix will continue doing so - there is some mental issue which no legislation will remedy.

let them be that doesn't mean it should stop PCB from taking stern measures against them.
you can take example of U.A.E & India
the same people drive carelessly & don't follow any traffic rules in India ..
those same one if you will meet them in U.A.E will warn you about being law abiding Citizen and following all the laws..

 

[Savak]

Beats me as to why was this not done before. You match fix or spot fix, you go to jail, simple and no returning back to cricket in any shape or form. If this does not act as a deterrent for players then nothing will

 

[Savak]

This is good but there is a problem. Even if cricketers are jailed, and yes jail is a deterrent, they can come back. Amir got jail (Young offenders because of his age). And yet he returned. If PCB want a cricketer to come back from fixing, they'll encourage them to serve the jail sentence and the cricket ban and then pick them again.

You're punishing the cricketer more. But you're not taking away the power of the PCB to recall a player which isn't changed. Fans and the board will want that option open so that a talented fixer can always return.

There are also lots of people who will risk a short jail sentence to make money. If they're not playing cricket anyway, actually being confined to jail is not as bad. As you're not doing anything else.

The only real deterrent is life ban from international cricket forever. A punishment you can't simply just wait out. Yes it will suck if a talented player is found fixing and then can never play international cricket again. But far better we sacrifice one guy, and deter countless of talented players from fixing in the future.

In most countries, once you have a prison record, you will not find a job in the corporate world again. Heck you can even be denied visa's to visit other countries. Jail time is the best deterrent along with a complete life ban from anything to do with Cricket. The players need to sign off on this in their central contracts so that they know full well they were informed in advance of the consequences of their actions

 

[MenInG]

LAHORE: Former legendary Test fast bowler Sarfaraz Nawaz, who is a blunt critic of the corrupt practices in the game of cricket, has advised the Pakistan Cricket Board that prior to asking the government of Pakistan to form laws to curb the menace of match fixing, it should first clean up its own house from such people who have been penalized for their involvement in fixing during the past.

“Without taking to task the penalised cricketers from the past who are still working with the PCB, no one will believe that the Board is sincere in its claims of ridding Pakistan’s cricket of the fixing menace,” said Sarfaraz while speaking to Dawn.

It may be mentioned that PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani, in a recent podcast session, had stated that the PCB would ask the government to formulate the laws to end the corrupt practices like match fixing in the game of cricket.

“If the PCB is ready to say goodbye to tainted and penalized players like Waqar Younus, Mushtaq Ahmad, Wasim Akram and many others who in the past have been penalised by Justice Qayyum Commission, then all this makes some sense,” said Sarfaraz who played for Pakistan from from 1969 to 1984.

“Although Justice Qayyum had made several recommendations to the PCB to check the menace of fixing, hardly any of that was followed in the two decades and that reflects the sincerity of the PCB towards nipping the foul practices in the bud.”

Sarfaraz alleged that in fact the PCB and the ICC were not looking serious to control the match or spot fixing practices in the game as the cricketers, despite facing punishments in some cases, have repeatedly been making comebacks in the game or with the Board in one capacity or the other.

Sarfaraz said in the past he had spoken openly and bluntly against the cricketers involved in foul practices and urged the concerned authorities to take action, but unfortunately neither the government nor the PCB showed seriousness.

“And now once again there is talk about taking action and criminalising the acts of fixing which is just an eyewash and nothing else,” he said.

Sarfaraz reminded that when Pakistan lost the World Cup 1999 matches to Bangladesh and India, he had informed the Pakistan team’s management of the dirty business that was going on but nothing happened. “Incidentally, current PCB chairman Ehsan Mani and then Pakistan High Commissioner were also there watching the matches in 1999. But they turned a deaf ear to my warningsand Pakistan lost the matches in the most shocking way,” recalled Sarfaraz.

He added that the former Managing Director of United Cricket Board of South African, Ali Bacher also quoted former Pakistan opener Majid Khan, before the King’s Commission set up for a match-fixing scandal, that the matches against Bangladesh and India were fixed.

Sarfaraz expressed his surprise as to why did the ICC Anti-corruption Unit Paul Condon visited Lahore just days before Justice (retd.) Qayyum’s Commission was going to announce its report in 2000.

“According to my sources, Condon met Qayyum and warned him that in case he would ban a good number of cricketers, then it might force the ICC to ban Pakistan’s cricket. Therefore Qayyuum only put life ban on Salim Malik for corruption and on Ata-ur-Rehman for purgery but altered his decision of banning Wasim (Akram) and only recommended to remove him from captaincy,” Sarfaraz alleged.

He went on to say that said though he had written letters to then president Gen. (retd.) Pervez Musharraf and PCB chairman Lt. Gen. (retd.) Tauqir Zia, pointing out the negative roles of many high ups in promoting gambling and fixing, no action was taken whatsoever.

Sarfaraz disclosed that he had also advised Tauqir Zia not to recommend the name of Ehsan Mani for the post of ICC president way back in 2003 and had backed the names of Imran Khan, Majid Khan, Haseeb Ahsan or Zafar Altaf for the ICC post.

He alleged that Mani did nothing to curb to eradicate the match-fixing practices as ICC president.

Sarfaraz blamed the mushrooming T20 leagues for the growing trend of spot-fixing. “T20 cricket and now the newly introduced T10 leagues are fanning such foul practices, “ he said. “It is not an easy job to save the cricketers from corrupt practices if the concerned authorities will continue to handle these things so lightly and on basis of likes and dislikes.”

https://www.dawn.com/news/1550913/p...ted-players-before-making-laws-sarfaraz-nawaz

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is also the patron-in-chief of the country’s cricket board, has approved the PCB’s plan to revise its anti-corruption code and make match-fixing a criminal offence.

According to a Pakistan Cricket Board source, the green signal came when PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani met with Imran earlier this week where the premier also gave the clearance for the national team to tour England despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Imran supported the draft copy of the new laws and advised Mani to get it cleared by the Law and other relevant ministries so that it can be tabled in the parliament and become a written law,” the source said.

Under the new code, the board intends to criminalise match-fixing and spot-fixing and also specify punishments for offenders, including jail time.

“The new laws would give the PCB’s Anti-Corruption and security unit the power to not only probe money trails and assets of players/officials/persons but also carry out raids where required and file criminal cases,” the source said.

“Under the new laws, proven offenders will serve jail time plus the board will get powers to probe all assets and money trails of any player it suspects of being involved in corruption,” he added.

Until now, the PCB has implemented the Anti-Corruption code, which is followed by the International Cricket Council. That code does not criminalise corruption in cricket and is limited in its punishments for offenders.

Experts and analysts say that the absence of clear punishments for offenders has encouraged players to still indulge in corruption as they know they can get away with a few years ban and return to playing cricket.

Pakistan cricket has reported a number of cases where its players have been found guilty of fixing matches, accepting approaches from bookmakers or not reporting such approaches.

The most recent example being that of Test batsman Umar Akmal who has now filed an appeal against his three-year ban before an Independent adjudicator.

More recently, a court in Manchester in the UK sent Pakistani opener Nasir Jamshed and two other bookmakers from the country to jail for corruption.

The PCB has also banned Jamshed for 10-years.

https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...ng-criminalisation-pm-nod/article31852298.ece

 

[Abdullah719]

Ehsan Mani: "We are still in the process of framing final draft to be enacted as a law to act against issues related to match and spot fixing. Once the legislation on this very vital issue is finalised the matter will be whetted through the law ministry before being legalised like it is in the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka. This way fixing will become criminalise and culprits caught and proved will be sent to jail just like [Mohammad] Amir and company were jailed for the 2010 spot-fixing.”

https://www.dawn.com/news/1564207

 

[MenInG]

From PCB release:

The PCB Chairman updated the BoG on his meeting with the PCB Patron, including discussions around legislation on criminalising corruption in sports. In this relation, Mr Mani submitted to the Patron a draft proposal, which provides a short background on the menace of corruption and its impact on the integrity of sports; reviews the existing legislation enacted within Pakistan whilst noting that the same fail to adequately target and address corruption/illegal manipulation in sports; recommends the inclusion of certain provisions which, specifically target criminalisation of corruption in sports pertaining to corruption, illegal manipulation, betting, match and spot-fixing as well as aiding and abetting such conduct; and proposes the penalties to be imposed on individuals found guilty of engaging in such offences.

 

[Abdullah719]

PCB recommends harsh punishments for corrupters

Pakistan Cricket Board has recommended tough sanctions for the corrupt in cricket in its drive to assist the government around legislation on criminalizing corruption in sports.

The PCB has reviewed the existing legislation enacted within Pakistan and has noted that the same fail to adequately target and address corruption/illegal manipulation in sports, Chairman Ehsan Mani said on Sunday while talking to APP.

The one-man Commission of Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum in 2,000 had recommended that the Pakistan Government should investigate gambling in Pakistan, but because his advice was not taken forward and no legislation was done, Pakistan continued to face embarrassment with Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif ending up behind bars in England in 2010.

The country was at the receiving end once again during the Pakistan Super League when a number of players was banned and fined for breaching the PCB Code of Conduct.

“In the draft paper, the PCB has proposed severe sanctions pertaining to corruption, illegal manipulation, betting, match and spot-fixing as well as aiding and abetting such conduct and has proposed penalties to be imposed on individuals found guilty of engaging in such offences,” Mani added.

The PCB is presenting engaged in a corruption battle with Umar Akmal and has filed as appeal in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) against the independent adjudicator’s decision to halve Umar Akmal 36-month sanction for failure to report corrupt approaches in two unrelated incidents.

“The PCB takes matters relating to anti-corruption very seriously and firmly maintains a zero-tolerance approach.

The PCB doesn’t take any pride in seeing a cricketer of Umar’s stature being banned for corruption, but as a credible and respectable institution, we need to send out a loud and clear message to all our stakeholders that there will be no sympathy whatsoever for anyone who breaches the regulations,” the PCB has said last month. APP

http://www.radio.gov.pk/06-09-2020/pcb-recommends-harsh-punishments-for-corrupters

 

[watson367]

PCB will always protect its golden boys (like in Amir's case). Every fixer needs to be tried under the same uniform laws.

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has introduced a 'whistle blowers' policy to combat any form of corruption or dishonest behaviour by any of its officers or players but warned against filing frivolous complaints.

The policy, approved at the Board of Governors meeting in Lahore, incorporates all relevant stakeholders in addition to PCB employees, officials, players and players support personnel.

According to the policy, any person who becomes aware of any matter or behaviour that may amount to 'whistleblower information' can report it to the Chief Operating Officer via email along with complete details, including supporting documents and evidence.

The PCB has assured it will keep the identity of the whistle-blower and contents of the report confidential, and will also protect the whistle-blower from any form of detriment, including discrimination, harassment or retaliation as a consequence of the disclosure.

But at the same time the Board's senior officials have made it clear that the policy should not be used for frivolous reasons.

"All stakeholders must use the PCB Whistleblowing Policy cautiously, wisely and responsibly as frivolous and unsubstantiated reports and allegations can cause irreparable damage to the individuals against whom reports are being made as well as their near ones," a statement said.

PCB Chief Operating Officer, Salman Naseer said, "While we are encouraging stakeholders in good faith to share information with evidence and supporting documents, we expect them to exercise this opportunity responsibly as any malicious or frivolous report can destroy the reputation and careers of honest, hardworking and promising individuals."

"Any whistleblower found to be deliberately misleading the PCB for personal gains and benefits will be subject to strict disciplinary action."

The PCB in line with its zero tolerance policy over corruption has also moved a legislation with the government under which once it is approved by parliament it will become a law, criminalising all match and spot-fixing acts.

https://www.newindianexpress.com/sp...wers-policy-to-combat-corruption-2222411.html

 

[MenInG]

RAWALPINDI: The anti-corruption unit of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hauled up a young man on Thursday for allegedly involvement in corrupt practices during the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

According to reliable sources, the man presumably in his early 20s, was being monitored by the authorities for a while but on the first day of this match they found him behaving in a suspected manner.

The sources confirmed to Dawn the man under investigation — who had been granted accreditation by the PCB for the Rawalpindi Test under the ceiling of ‘service provider’ — had confessed to providing match information to his link in Dubai before the actual position of play in the Test seconds before the action was relayed to the TV viewers by the broadcasters and streamed live by the PCB-owned YouTube channel.

Moreover, the PCB sleuths from anti-corruption unit found several mobile phones after a thorough body search of the suspect, who has been reportedly in contact with the UAE-based bookmakers.

The sources further said the suspect had been now handed over to the intelligence agencies for further action.


https://www.dawn.com/news/1605521/pcb-anti-corruption-unit-nabs-fixing-suspect-in-pindi

 

[The cricket enthusiast]

RAWALPINDI: The anti-corruption unit of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hauled up a young man on Thursday for allegedly involvement in corrupt practices during the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

According to reliable sources, the man presumably in his early 20s, was being monitored by the authorities for a while but on the first day of this match they found him behaving in a suspected manner.

The sources confirmed to Dawn the man under investigation — who had been granted accreditation by the PCB for the Rawalpindi Test under the ceiling of ‘service provider’ — had confessed to providing match information to his link in Dubai before the actual position of play in the Test seconds before the action was relayed to the TV viewers by the broadcasters and streamed live by the PCB-owned YouTube channel.

Moreover, the PCB sleuths from anti-corruption unit found several mobile phones after a thorough body search of the suspect, who has been reportedly in contact with the UAE-based bookmakers.

The sources further said the suspect had been now handed over to the intelligence agencies for further action.


https://www.dawn.com/news/1605521/pcb-anti-corruption-unit-nabs-fixing-suspect-in-pindi

How is he allowed at first place?
Spectators are not allowed right?

 

[rockyboy2018]

The Way South African players got out was very strange. I did not even see this thread just watched highlights. Such spot-fixing thought popped into my head. I do not know what to make out of this. South African cricketers were involved in such a thing in the past along with Pakistani cricketers. It is such a bad thing this sport is marred by fixing. That's why by and large people are losing interest in the game.

 

[Saj]

How is he allowed at first place?
Spectators are not allowed right?

I've heard that he had been given accreditation.

Some reports are suggesting he had claimed he was working on providing music during the match

 

[Babar_Azam_fan]

RAWALPINDI: The anti-corruption unit of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hauled up a young man on Thursday for allegedly involvement in corrupt practices during the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

According to reliable sources, the man presumably in his early 20s, was being monitored by the authorities for a while but on the first day of this match they found him behaving in a suspected manner.

The sources confirmed to Dawn the man under investigation — who had been granted accreditation by the PCB for the Rawalpindi Test under the ceiling of ‘service provider’ — had confessed to providing match information to his link in Dubai before the actual position of play in the Test seconds before the action was relayed to the TV viewers by the broadcasters and streamed live by the PCB-owned YouTube channel.

Moreover, the PCB sleuths from anti-corruption unit found several mobile phones after a thorough body search of the suspect, who has been reportedly in contact with the UAE-based bookmakers.

The sources further said the suspect had been now handed over to the intelligence agencies for further action.


https://www.dawn.com/news/1605521/pcb-anti-corruption-unit-nabs-fixing-suspect-in-pindi

Hopefully it’s just a masala news, if it’s true geez can’t have another match/ spot fixing

 

[Titan24]

Hopefully it’s just a masala news, if it’s true geez can’t have another match/ spot fixing

Its not related to any player. A person employee of the company providing sound system to the stadium was giving away information regarding, toss, weather, match, conditions etc.

 

[Babar_Azam_fan]

Its not related to any player. A person employee of the company providing sound system to the stadium was giving away information regarding, toss, weather, match, conditions etc.

May be you didn’t read it fully or I misunderstood it. It says he kept giving information about the match (like four, wicket, etc), seconds before the actual action even took place. It shows he already knew what will happen next

 

[Titan24]

May be you didn’t read it fully or I misunderstood it. It says he kept giving information about the match (like four, wicket, etc), seconds before the actual action even took place. It shows he already knew what will happen next

You have misunderstood it. Match on TVs and stream is delayed so when you are actually with the sound team in the stadium you can pass on the information in advance.

"had confessed to providing match information to his link in Dubai before the actual position of play in the Test seconds before the action was relayed to the TV viewers by the broadcasters and streamed live by the PCB-owned YouTube channel"

 

[Babar_Azam_fan]

You have misunderstood it. Match on TVs and stream is delayed so when you are actually with the sound team in the stadium you can pass on the information in advance.

"had confessed to providing match information to his link in Dubai before the actual position of play in the Test seconds before the action was relayed to the TV viewers by the broadcasters and streamed live by the PCB-owned YouTube channel"

Oh thanks for clearing it for me, cheers

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Oh thanks for clearing it for me, cheers

Basically, if there’s a 30 second delay, that’s enough time to pass on the information to your contacts who can place a bet on the very next ball. The odds then update/bookings close when the TV shows the delivery.

 

[Titan24]

Oh thanks for clearing it for me, cheers

No problem.

 

[MenInG]

A bookie was arrested by ICC/PCB anti-corruption unit. He was spotted sharing pitch information to bookies on phone. Booking was given DJ Card and allowed to enter the ground by PCB.

Bilal was nabbed yesterday by the PCB’s anti-corruption unit and was handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

Bilal hails for United Arab Emirates (UAE) and came inside the Pindi stadium by using a ‘DJ card’.

Sami Ul Hasan- Director Media and Communications, Raza Rashid Kitchlew, Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi all are under investigation for issuing the card, sources say they were bribed for entrance cards.

According to the sources that following the arrest, the FIA has launched an investigation and is trying to unearth the whole chain involved in luring players to fix part of matches or to make an impact on matches according to their nefarious plans.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/720852/pcb-media-cell-issued-vvip-entrance-card-to-bookie/

 

[MenInG]

RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) - The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested a bookie during the Test match between Pakistan and South Africa.

A case has been registered against the accused by the police stating that the accused was arrested for using a mobile phone in a suspicious manner. The arrested accused was in touch with a bookie named Faizan in Dubai.

The FIR states that the accused admitted in his initial statement that the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit had investigated him in Sri Lanka and Sharjah.

According to police, five mobile phones and Karachi Test match entry cards were also recovered from the accused. The accused used forged entry card of Rawalpindi for Karachi Stadium. Rs 13,000 has also been recovered from the possession of the accused.

 

[MenInG]

RAWALPINDI: The police have decided to approach concerned authorities to form a joint investigation team (JIT) to further probe a suspected bookie who was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Unit of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday.

The resident of Shalimar View Baghbanpura Lahore was arrested when he was contacting members of his network based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the first day of the Test match between Pakistan and South Africa in Rawalpindi on Friday.

Initially, the man, identified by police as Bilal Ahmad, was handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)’s Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad. After interrogating him, the FIA shifted him to the New Town police station on Saturday which led to registration of an FIR against him.

Besides two mobile phones and an entry card of National Stadium Karachi, stake money of Rs13,000 were recovered from him. The suspect has also faced interrogation in UAE and Sri Lanka on the complaint of the Anti-Corruption Unit of the International Cricket Council (ICC), said the police.


Superintendent of Police Rai Mazhar Iqbal said in a statement that the police were contacting the authorities concerned to form a joint investigation team to unearth the members of the network involved in gambling on cricket matches.

Nadeem Akhtar, assistant director FIA Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad, lodged an FIR with the New Town police stating that the suspect was using his mobile phone in a suspicious manner when caught by a surveillance team of the PCB.

During interrogation, he revealed that he had been involved in online gambling and was giving real-time tips to his UAE-based account operator.

He also told investigators that he had travelled to UAE, Sri Lanka many times and earlier been interrogated by the ICC anti-corruption unit in Sri Lanka and Sharjah.

The complainant said the matter was probed at the appropriate level and it was decided to hand the suspect over to the local police for further legal action. This led to the registration of an FIR against him under the Punjab Prevention of Gambling Ordinance 1978 and for forgery.

The suspect had used the entry card of National Stadium Karachi for intruding into the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium which was a breach of security, said a source. The intrusion of the bookie in the strictly guarded cricket stadium on an invalid entry pass raised questions over the security arrangements at the stadium.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2021

 

[James]

All governments of ICC Member States and ICC Associate Member States should put these items into law. Match-fixing and particularly spot-fixing now are deeply ingrained problems in cricket, often involving huge amounts of money and large networks of people. Any of those guilty should face imprisonment. With so many 20-over and 10-over leagues popping up all over the world, and The Hundred coming up in the UK, we need this legislation more than ever.

 

[Hitman]

Probe into accreditation to bookie underway: Wasim Khan

The investigation against the issuance of the accreditation card to a bookie for the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa held in Rawalpindi from Feb 4-8 is in progress and those found responsible will be punished, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief executive Wasim Khan has said.

The PCB chief executive said the authorities concerned were investigating the matter regarding the issuance of the accreditation to the said individual, adding after the completion of the process, appropriate action would be taken against those found responsible.

Meanwhile answering a question, Wasim said he hoped the PCB Board of Governors would accept his request for a one-year extension — to end his role in the PCB in Feb 2023 instead of 2022.

He said a heavy workload was pending to finalise the ICC FTP till 2031 and to get hosting rights of some of the ICC events. He said the PCB with the UAE cricket association would bid for the ICC events.

Link: https://www.dawn.com/news/1607340/probe-into-accreditation-to-bookie-underway-wasim

 

[MenInG]

LAHORE:

The Lahore police have launched an intelligence-based crackdown to curb gambling during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) cricket matches.

According to Lahore CCPO Ghulam Mehmood Dogar, the police have compiled a list of suspected gamblers and senior police officials including SPs, DPOs, SHOs and CIA police have been directed to detain them.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, he said the list included bookmakers who had been involved in cases of betting as well as those against whom public complaints had been received.

The CCPO said the gamblers had now opened their accounts abroad through various mobile applications and gambled on websites. “Police will also request the PTA [Pakistan Telecommunication Authority] and the FIA [Federal Investigation Agency] ​​to block these websites and apps.”

Lahore DIG Operations Sajid Kayani said several bookmakers had fled as soon as the police started initiated the crackdown. The police had now decided to conduct an intelligence-based operation with the assistance of local officials, tips from various sources and information technology.

On Friday night, Civil Lines SP Safdar Raza Kazmi and Qila Gujar Singh SHO Mudassarullah Khan raided a plaza and arrested Obaid Murtaza alias Jona Butt along with his accomplices. Police officials said Butt was one of the top 10 fraudsters and bookmakers in the city.

Kayani said the police had seized Rs250,000, 1.5kg of drugs and 5 Kalashnikovs during the raid. He said Butt wanted by the police in several cases but he "enjoyed the support of political leaders in the past".

A bookmaker, known as ‘Malik Sahib’, told The Express Tribune that bets of billions of rupees were expected on the matches from all over the world.

He said Karachi Kings were the favourites for the trophy, followed by Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United and Multan Sultans. He said all the betting was done on mobile phones and it involved the whole match from the toss till the result. The activity continues with every ball and the rates change immediately after every boundary, sixer or fall of wicket.

He said the bookmakers used places frequented by people like property dealers, restaurants and money changers for the transactions and would collect money from a person sitting at the cash counter.

Lahore SSP Ahsan Saifullah said the police had received reports that the bookmakers had changed their locations and phone numbers and many of them had booked rooms in the city's leading hotels. Police will acquire the data of new tenants and conduct search operations in hotels, he added.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2285412/police-launch-crackdown-on-gamblers-amid-psl-matches

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: Police’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) on Thursday claimed to have arrested a “famous” bookie/gambler over charges of match fixing for ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL), SSP SIU retired Capt Haider Raza said.

The senior officer added that the arrest was the outcome of a recent meeting between law enforcement agencies and officials of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to curb such practice during ongoing matches of PSL being held at National Stadium Karachi.

According to the SIU statement, in continuation of action against match fixers/bookies and gamblers in follow-up of a meeting held on Feb 18 between PCB officials and members of law enforcement, the SIU received confidential information that a person was gambling on ongoing PSL-6 cricket matches and was present in an under-construction building in Bahadurabad.

On the tip-off, SIU immediately responded and arrested Mubeen alias Dhoraji with recovery of gambling articles and 1,050 grammes narcotics.

The held suspect disclosed that his father Arif Ismail alias Dhoraji was a “famous bookie of Karachi” and due to health issues of his father, he is running the setup since the last one year.

Not only was he himself gambling on PSL matches but he was also running a network of bookies.

He also told the police that there were several members of his network who connect bookies from Karachi, Lahore and other cities through mobile phone with him.

The police claimed to have recovered four mobile phones, a laptop, an adaptor and a keyboard from his custody.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2021

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: A draft bill sent by the Pakistan Cricket Board to the government, which seeks to criminalize any acts of corruption in cricket, is yet to be enacted as a law despite a delay of several months. The draft bill was sent by the PCB to the law ministry for approval but it is yet to be passed by the upper and lower houses of the Parliament and enforced as a law.

A member of the National Assembly, Iqbal Mohammad Ali, had also tabled a similar bill in the some months ago but he says it is now with the Law and Justice Committee, which will send it to the Parliament for approval.

The PCB draft of 77 pages titled 'Legislation on the prevention of corruption in sports' seeks to criminalize corruption in cricket. The PCB has given references of bills recently passed in Sri Lanka and New Zealand to criminalize corruption in cricket. "The draft bill now criminalizes several offences related to match-fixing among other things," one board official said.

He said the draft is being vetted and will be cleared by the law ministry after which it can be tabled in the Parliament. The PCB has also recommended setting up a special unit to investigate claims related to corruption in the draft bill.

Offences related to corruption in sports will carry a prison term of up to 10 years or a fine of Rs. 100 million or both together.

https://www.newindianexpress.com/sp...cricket-yet-to-be-enacted-as-law-2333914.html