There comes a major blow to the reputation of Pakistan Cricket Board as their current media manager Umar Farooq Kalson & Board’s GM Adnan Ali came under scanner after pictures & video footage of the duo visiting a Colombo Casino started doing rounds on social media. Both the Pakistan Officials are in Colombo as a part of the Pakistani contingent for the Asia Cup 2023 & visiting a gambling place will attract the attention of ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit as it is against the ICC Code of Conduct to visit such places.
Why do both Pakistan Officials come under Scanner?
After the video went viral on social media, Pakistani fans questioned the maturity of Pakistani Officials as they indulged in Gambling being on duty in Asia Cup 2023. Many criticized the trend of many PCB Officials going to Colombo Casino during their official tour in the Asia Cup. A source close to PCB said that at least 15-20 PCB officials had traveled ‘to and fro’ between Colombo and Lahore while some were stationed there permanently as Pakistan was the official host of the Asia Cup.
When the Officials saw the outrage from people on social media over their viral casino video, they clarified that they had gone to the Casino to have dinner. A point that was ridiculed by everyone on social media. Even former Pakistani players condemned their behavior & claimed that they were hiding their wrong conduct.
“Who goes to a Casino to have food? Who goes to a gambling joint to have food? Who are they trying to fool,”
The source said the two PCB officials shouldn’t have gone to the Casino where gambling was taking place. “They could face strict disciplinary action on return,” he added.
PCB to take strict action against both Officials
PCB Cricket management committee won’t ignore the incident despite the clarifications from the two officials. Former Test Opener Mohsin Khan also expressed disappointment over the irresponsible behavior of both the Officials to go to a Casino during a tournament.
During the World Cup 2015 in Australia & New Zealand, Pakistan’s former captain Moin Khan who was also the manager & chief selector of the Nationa team was called back to Pakistan in the middle of the tournament after he and his wife were spotted at a Casino in Christchurch before a match against West Indies. Moin claimed his innocence and that he & his wife just went out to have dinner. But still, PCB Chairman, Shaharyar Khan made it clear that Moin had breached the team’s and ICC’s contractual code of conduct.
Khan then justified his action saying that all PCB Officials have to follow the PCB & ICC Anti-Corruption Code Corruption Code which strictly prohibits visiting such places where gambling takes place or there are increased chances of corruption. One of the senior officials was reprimanded by Jay Shah during a meeting in Pallekele.
Meanwhile, India and Pakistan are locking horns with each other in a Super 4 fixture of the Asia Cup 2023 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The game resumed on Reserve Day with Virat Kohli & KL Rahul resuming the proceedings for India at 147-2.
Also read, Asia Cup Final Qualification Scenario if IND vs. PAK washout
