Pakistan team’s current media manager Umar Farooq Kalson and Managing Director (International Cricket) Adnan Ali are being scanned after photos and video footage emerged of the duo visiting a casino in Colombo. Both are in Colombo in an official capacity as part of the Pakistan contingent for the ongoing Asia Cup and a visit to a gambling den is sure to attract the attention of the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit as it is one of the banned places under the code of conduct. Many Pakistani fans on social media wondered how PCB officials could be so ‘immature’ and ‘careless’ to indulge in gambling.
PCB media officials Umer Farooq Kalson and Adnan Ali are having fun at a casino in Colombo. Cricket fans will remember that Chief Selector/Manager Moin Khan was recalled during the 2015 World Cup and sacked by PCB chairman Sheharyar Khan when he was spotted at a casino in Christchurch… pic.twitter.com/eRoF534xD1
— Shakil Shaikh (@shakilsh58) September 9, 2023
Many criticized the trend of many PCB officials going to Colombo on official visits during the Asia Cup.
A PCB source said at least 15 to 20 PCB officials had been traveling back and forth between Colombo and Lahore, while some were permanently stationed there as Pakistan was the official host of the Asia Cup.
After some Pakistani news channels made headlines, the two casino officials later clarified that they had only gone to the casino to have dinner, a claim that was ridiculed by everyone on social media and also by some former Test players.
“Who goes to a casino to eat? Who goes to a gambling den to eat. Who are they trying to fool,” says cricket writer Omair Alavi.
The source said the two PCB officials should not have gone to the casino where gambling was taking place.
“They may face strict disciplinary action upon return,” he added.
According to him, the PCB Cricket Management Committee would find it difficult to ignore the incident despite the clarification from the two officials.
Former Test opener Mohsin Khan also expressed surprise over the irresponsible behavior of the two PCB officials in going to a casino during the tournament.
Ironically, during the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, former Pakistan captain Moin Khan, who was a manager and chief selector with the team, was recalled to Pakistan mid-tournament after he and his wife were spotted at a casino in Christchurch. for a match against West Indies.
Moin also claimed his innocence that they had gone for dinner, but the then PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan made it clear that Moin had violated the team’s contractual code of conduct and his contractual code of conduct.
Khan had at the time justified his strong move to recall and subsequently sack Moin by pointing out that all PCB officials and players had to adhere to the board’s anti-corruption code and the ICC, which strictly advised against visiting places where gambling takes place or where there is more gambling. chance of corruption.
Apparently, a senior official even got a dressing down from Jay Shah during a meeting in Pallekele.
The ACC president and BCCI supremo Shah apparently reacted strongly to some of the comments made by the PCB official during the meeting.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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