The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has found itself under a new problem after two of its officials were caught on camera in a casino in Colombo amid the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. After a launch of an inquiry, the two PCB officials have now said that they had gone into the casino searching for “halal” food.
Umar Farooq Kalson, the head of PCB’s media division, and Adnan Ali, who is the board’s GM (International Cricket), were caught in images present at a casino in Colombo that have now gone viral. Both these persons and the PCB are facing scrutiny from all corners.
Both of them have also caught the attention of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit because both were present in Colombo in official capacity under the PCB for the Asia Cup 2023. It is to be noted that going to casinos, especially during a series or a tournament, is one of the prohibited places as per ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit code of conduct.
PCB officials could to be rebuked by ICC and ACC
A report now in Daily Jang has quoted these two PCB officials explaining their visit to the casino. Umar Farooq Kalson and Adnan Ali have reportedly said that they there were looking for “halal” food in the casino as this food was not available later at night in the restaurants nearby.
“Responding to the notice, both officials tried to explained the reason behind their casino visit and stated that they went there under compulsion because restaurants were closed late at night and they had not eaten because of the unavailability of halal food,” Sri Lankan journalist Nibraz Ramzan has tweeted.
But the Pakistanis fans are not accepting their reasons, and alleging that both the officials are lying.
It is believed that the ICC, and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) headed by Jay Shah, will investigate this matter and soon reveal the details.