“I am completely ready to cooperate with the PCB”
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Opener Nasir Jamshed has revealed that he is ready to help the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) with their ongoing investigation into a corruption scandal that revolved around the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
But, Jamshed made it clear that he will lend a helping hand to the board only when the investigation launched by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) comes to an end.
Jamshed, who was arrested by the NCA with another man in February, was charged by the PCB for violating two clauses of their anti-corruption code, both of which relate to obstructing and failing to cooperate with their investigation. The 27-year-old has 14 days to respond to the charges against him.
Jamshed is currently based in Birmingham and even though the PCB want him to return to Pakistan as they believe he was heavily involved in the scandal, the Rawalpindi native made it clear that he cannot go back to Pakistan as the NCA confiscated his passport.
“I have no control over what is being said in the media,” Jamshed said. “I have neither changed residences, nor am I hiding from anyone. I am completely ready to cooperate with the PCB. My only request is to let the NCA inquiry being conducted to reach its conclusion first.
“This is something the PCB had stated itself, when they stopped an FIA inquiry. I believe that too. First the NCA inquiry should be completed. The PCB has stated itself that they are in regular contact with the NCA, and are fully aware of the inquiry. Once it ends, I will present myself as and when the PCB requires me to.”
Pakistan’s Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) have also launched their own investigation into the corruption scandal and have so far put four players – Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Mohammad Irfan and Shahzaib Hasan – on an exit control list, which bars them from leaving the country.
While the PCB wants the FIA to share any information found on the cell phones of the accused, the board have distanced themselves from the agency’s probe.
Despite this, PSL chairman Najam Sethi made it clear that he never had a problem with the FIA starting their own investigation.
“I want FIA, which has taken suo motu [notice] of the case, to continue with its probe in this matter and should go after bookies like British Crime Agency does,” Sethi said. “Since there has been no law to deal with the spot-fixing here in Pakistan, this matter comes under the domain of PCB’s discipline and conduct and the Board can award exemplary punishment to the guilty players.
“The FIA deals with the criminal side of this case and if any such findings come up during the PCB tribunal probe, the FIA will be asked to take action. However, the FIA should better go after bookies and let the PCB deal with the players’ wrongdoings.”