Spot-fixing claim in recent documentary baseless: PCB

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected the spotfixing charge made against the national team in a recently-released documentary as “baseless” and said a probe can only be conducted if the broadcaster shares the footage.

In response to the Al Jazeera’s latest documentary, which claimed that four international matches involving Pakistan were spot-fixed, the PCB said the allegations were under review jointly by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its own Anti-Corruption Unit. “The broadcaster has not been forthcoming with provision of any evidence whatsoever in the absence of which their allegations remain unsubstantiated,” the statement added.

“Without provision of evidence from the broadcaster, the allegations will remain baseless,” it said.

The PCB’s statement came on a day when an independent adjudicator, Retired Justice Mian Hamid Farooq, upheld the 10-year ban on Test cricketer Nasir Jamshed. Jamshed was found guilty by the PCB’s Anti-Corruption Tribunal of spot-fixing, betting, failing to disclose offers of money, accepting offers of bribe, consenting to corruption and encouraging other players — during the second season of the Pakistan Super League in early 2017.

“The PCB has and continues to cooperate, assist and coordinate with the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit in respect of investigations related to international cricket.”