ECB Bans Pakistani Agent (Source: @swamy64/x.com, @PakPMO22/x.com)
Pakistan cricket’s troubles show no sign of easing, with fresh challenges piling up. Crossing beyond the 22 yards, the England Cricket Board’s recent step on a Pakistani sports agent added woes to the nation’s reputation in the cricket world.
Moghees Ahmed, who represented players like Misbah-ul-Haq and Saeed Ajmal, has been banned by the ECB over allegations of trying to corruptly influence player selections in county cricket.
ECB Bans Pakistani Sports Agent
In recent years, Pakistan cricket struggled on the big stage, but their struggle didn’t end on the cricketing arena as the nation faced a massive blow off the field too. In a fresh blow, the England Cricket Board has banned Pakistani sports agent Moghees Ahmed for allegedly trying to corruptly influence player selections in county cricket.
Ahmed is the owner of the International Cricketers Association, allegedly offered a coach a cut of his commission in return for picking his clients in franchise leagues. The coach reported the offer the same day, and a tribunal confirmed the approach had occurred.
He has been handed a ban from any cricket-related activities for the next five years for breaching the ECB’s corruption code. In total, 60 months of the suspension, the first 30 months will serve full, while the remaining 30 months are suspended, provided he commits no further offences.
ECB Regulator Breaks Silence On The Matter
As the incident had already caught the air, the England Cricket Board’s Cricket Regulator broke its silence on this. As quoted by ESPN Cricinfo, Chris Haward, the director of the Cricket Regulator, has already issued a statement.
“Moghees Ahmed sought to engage a professional county coach in a corrupt scheme which would have had serious consequences for the integrity of cricket in England and Wales and beyond. This lengthy ban rightly reflects the seriousness of the conspiracy Ahmed sought to embark upon. Offering, seeking or taking illicit financial inducements for selection is never acceptable and strikes at the heart of the integrity of our sport. Where corrupt conduct is suspected, it will be investigated and those responsible will be held to account,” the statement said.
“This case came to light due to the courage of the coach and others who reported their concerns within moments of the corrupt offer being made. They have also greatly assisted the investigation and tribunal process and are commended for their conduct,” it added.
The alleged agent was previously connected with Naseem Shah and Saeed Ajmal’s County Contract, and now finds himself at the center of a scandal that has exposed questionable practices. That incident turned down PCB’s face on the global cricket stage.
