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LAHORE: Though the Pakistan Cricket Board’s Anti-corruption Unit filed a charge sheet before the three-member PCB Anti-corruption Tribunal here on Thursday against discarded opener Nasir Jamshed for his alleged involvement in the spot-fixing scandal during the second edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL), Nasir’s lawyers failed to produce the power of attorney, raising questions whether he will defend the case or not.
The PCB has constituted a new Anti-corruption Tribunal headed by Justice (retd.) Fazal Mian Chohan with ex-pacer Aaqib Javed and advocate Shahzaib Masood as members to hear the case of Nasir who is the last accused among the five cricketers involved in the spot-fixing case. The four others, who have already received varying punishments, include Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Shahzaib Hasan and Muhammad Irfan.
But Nasir’s case is still pending because he could not appear before the tribunal as National Crime Agency in England did not allow him to travel to Pakistan as he was also facing the same charges there.
Nasir’s passport has been confiscated by NCA England and there are reports it is still with the authorities.
PCB’s lawyer Tafazal Rizvi told Dawn that Nasir’s lawyer Hasan Waraich did not appear before the tribunal on Thursday and only two junior lawyers came, claiming they would contest the case.
However, Tafazal said when the objection was raised to show the power of attorney of Nasir, they said that had forgotten the same in their offices. At that stage, the tribunal advised the lawyers to bring the power of attorney with them next time.
Tafazal said the PCB had leveled six allegations on Nasir in its charge sheet containing 425 pages and the tribunal had asked Nasir to submit the reply till May 18.
However, Tafazal was not sure whether Nasir would visit Pakistan to fight the case or would send his lawyers for the same. But he said in case of no reply from Nasir, the tribunal had the authority to announce its verdict in the case in 40 days.
Though Nasir was not the part of the PSL, he is facing allegations that he persuaded four cricketers through an agent, M Yousuf, to be part of the spot-fixing scandal, while sitting in England.
Besides, Nasir is also facing the charges of not cooperating with the tribunal in probing the case and not informing the concerned authorities about the move of the bookies.
Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2018
