LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has served a legal notice on former Test captain and wicket-keeper Rashid Latif, asking him to provide concrete evidence in the next three days over his allegations that an Indian bookie remained the Board’s guest during the tour of India and England to Pakistan in 2005 and 2006 respectively.

PCB’s lawyer Taffazul Haider Rizvi served the notice which said:

1. Recently your statements with regard to an Indian bookmaker Annu Bhatt have been widely circulated in the electronic and print media. You have inter-alia alleged that ‘He (Annu Bhatt) was, in fact, a regular guest of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) when India and England toured Pakistan in 2005 and 2006 respectively and he (Annu) stayed in Pakistan as PCB’s guest on both the occasions.

“When your statement was refuted by our client (PCB), you uploaded another statement on the website of Rashid Latif Cricket Academy on Aug 20, 2013 wherein inter-alia you said: “I know that Annu Bhatt used to be PCB’s regular guest and I stand by each and every word of mine.”

This press release as also printed in various newspapers having nationwide circulation.

1. As you are aware that the PCB is the sole regulatory authority established by the Federal Government to control and regulate the game of cricket in Pakistan, PCB maintains a zero tolerance policy against all forms of corruption in cricket.

“The PCB intends to examine the evidence/material on the basis of which you are levelling such allegations which obviously would include proof of boarding and lodging arrangements for the “guest” and air tickets etc. which allegedly were borne by the PCB.

1. We note that you understand that the said material/evidence should be able to withstand detailed scrutiny as our clients will leave no stone unturned to reach to the bottom of the matter.

“You are therefore directed to provide to us within three days of receipt of this notice the entire evidence/material which forms basis of your allegations that the bookmaker Annu Bhatt has been the “guest of PCB in 2005-06 home series against India and England and later he was on tours, as PCB guest, as well.

“As informed, the PCB will thoroughly probe this matter if you are able to provide the said credible proof within three days of the receipt of this notice. Please note that in case of your failure to respond or to provide the said proof, the PCB deserves an unqualified apology from you and you would refrain from levelling such allegations in the future,” it concluded.