Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials have come under intense scrutiny after images and videos surfaced of them visiting a casino in Colombo during the Asia Cup. The two officials in question, Umar Farooq Kalson, the current media manager of the Pakistan team, and Adnan Ali, the board’s GM (International Cricket), now face potential disciplinary measures as their actions have raised eyebrows and attracted the attention of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit.
Social media was abuzz with criticism from Pakistani fans who questioned the maturity and responsibility of these PCB officials for engaging in gambling activities. Many were quick to condemn the trend of PCB officials visiting casinos during the Asia Cup on official trips.
According to a PCB source, around 15 to 20 PCB officials had been shuttling between Colombo and Lahore during the tournament, with some stationed there on a permanent basis as Pakistan was the official host of the Asia Cup.
In response to media reports, the two officials claimed that they had only gone to the casino for dinner. However, this explanation was widely ridiculed on social media and dismissed by former Test players.
Critics pointed out the obvious question: “Who goes to a casino to have dinner?” Omair Alavi, a prominent cricket writer, echoed the sentiment shared by many. The source stated that the PCB officials should not have visited the casino where gambling activities were taking place and that they could face strict disciplinary action upon their return.
The PCB’s Cricket Management Committee is expected to address the incident, and despite the officials’ clarification, it may not be sufficient to absolve them of potential consequences.
Former Test opener Mohsin Khan expressed his surprise at the irresponsible behavior of the two PCB officials, highlighting the importance of adhering to the board’s and ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code, which strictly prohibits visiting places where gambling occurs or where there are higher risks of corruption.
This incident is reminiscent of a similar episode during the 2015 World Cup when former Pakistan captain Moin Khan, who was the team’s manager and chief selector, was called back to Pakistan mid-tournament after he and his wife were spotted at a casino in Christchurch before a match against the West Indies. Moin claimed innocence, stating that they had gone to the casino for dinner. However, the PCB Chairman at the time, Shaharyar Khan, made it clear that Moin had violated the team’s and his contractual code of conduct.
Shah emphasized that all PCB officials and players must adhere to the board’s and ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code, which strongly discourages visiting places associated with gambling or corruption risks.
In a related development, it was reported that one senior PCB official received a stern reprimand from Jay Shah during a meeting in Pallekele. Jay Shah, who is the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), reportedly reacted strongly to some of the comments made by the PCB official during the meeting.